Rogue bus drivers beware! 100 RTD officers to go undercover this CNY

In conjunction with the Chinese New Year celebration next month, the Road Transport Department (RTD) will deploy its officers in a special operation to nab rogue bus drivers.

RTD director-general Datuk Seri Ismail Ahmad said its officers will disguise themselves as express bus passengers and would be stationed randomly in an express bus to ensure bus drivers adhered to traffic regulations.

The special operation will start from Feb 2 until Feb 16.

According to Ismail, the operation was conducted as many people opted for buses as the main transportation medium to return home during the festive season.

"The officer stationed in the bus will evaluate the driving level of the bus driver and if they commit any offence, our officers will issue them the summons on the spot upon reaching the destination," he said as reported by Bernama.

He told a media conference after the launching of Kawasaki Road Safety Campaign at the southbound Sungai Besi toll plaza here Thursday.

Also present were Transport Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai, Kawasaki Motors Malaysia executive chairman Datuk Hanipuddin Raja Datuk Nong Chik, and Miros director-general Prof Dr Wong Shaw Voon.

Ismail said at the same time RTD officers would be conducting technical inspections on express buses at all 82 bus depots nationwide in the operation.

"If the bus was found to be in good condition we will issue a certificate to allow the bus to operate," he said and added that inspections would also be carried out at major bus terminals on the drivers to ensure they are free from drugs," he said.

In this regard, he said 1,800 officers would also be taking part in 'Ops Sikap' throughout the country with focus on motorcyclists on Feb 2, 6, 12 and 14.

"Ops Sikap will focus on traffic offences by road users such as overtaking on the double line, overtaking from the left, not putting on helmets or safety belts and using the mobile phone while driving.

"The overall operation which starts at 8am to 12 midnight also involved other government agencies such as police, Environment Department and Immigration Department," he said.

Apart from that, he said 500 RTD Young Volunteer Squad members would be joining the advocacy campaign with the Road Safety Department at 13 selected rest and relaxation areas along the country's major highways to raise motorists awareness on driving safely.

Meanwhile, Liow said RTD's undercover operation on express buses was not to impose penalty but to raise awareness so that drivers adhereed to road safety regulations.

"We are not out to penalise the people but I see it as an initiative to save lives from becoming victims of road accidents," he said.