Thursday February 3, 2011

Two bus drivers nabbed for using

handphones while driving
By S. ARULLDAS
news@thestar.com.my

BUTTERWORTH: Two express bus drivers were nabbed by the state Road Transport
Department (JPJ) for using their handphones on the road.
Describing them as irresponsible, state JPJ director Datuk Hassan Yaccob said bus drivers had
been cautioned against such practices because lives were at stake.
He said the drivers were issued summonses during a recent road safety operation, code-named
Ops Tahun Baru Cina.
Other offences included overcharging of fares, picking and dropping off passengers at
unauthorised spots and not departing according to the schedule.
Hassan said JPJ enforcement officers also checked 1,298 express buses to ensure their
roadworthiness as more travellers made their way home for Chinese New Year.
This is part of an effort to uphold road safety and about 240 officers were involved in the
operation, he added.
He said 715 buses were checked at the temporary Penang Sentral bus terminal here while 583
buses were inspected at the Sungai Nibong terminal on the island.
Our officers worked round-the-clock at the terminal in Penang Sentral and they are on duty
between 8am to 4am in Sungai Nibong, he told a press conference.
The checks included inspecting brakes and tyres, as both were identified as one of the causes of
accidents.
Hassan said JPJ officers would also patrol roads in the state that have been classified as killer
stretches between 8am to midnight during the festive period.
The stretches included Lebuhraya Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu, Jalan Paya Terubung in Balik Pulau
and from Jalan Bayan Lepas until Teluk Kumbar on the island.
On the mainland, the JPJ would monitor Jalan Chain Ferry through Jalan Permatang Batu in
Bukit Mertajam till Jalan Machang Bubuk at the border of Kulim.
The others are Jalan Paku Lima in Butterworth until Padang Serai (Kedah), Jalan Bukit Minyak
until Jalan Sungai Bakap in Nibong Tebal and Jalan Bagan Luar in Butterworth until Jalan
Bumbung Lima at Kedah.
The JPJ issued 1,203 summonses to motorists during the operation
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2011/2/3/nation/7920704&sec=nation