SEREMBAN: The ruling for mandatory seatbelt use for all bus passengers will be fully enforceable in five years' time, if a Transport Ministry proposal comes into play.

"We expect in the next five years, we can fully enforce the use of seatbelts on coach buses for the safety of passengers," said Deputy Transport Minister Datuk Ab. Aziz Kaprawi, adding the Ministry would be discussing the matter with the Road Transport Department (RTD) and the Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD) soon.

"Although it may take a little longer to fully enforce it, we are looking at the new requirement of seatbelts on buses as one of the conditions for approval of licenses," he said at a press conference after the launch of the new buses of Sistem Kenderaan Seremban-Kuala Lumpur Sdn Bhd (SKS-KL) on Tuesday.

He said the use of seatbelts on buses would greatly help minimise the impact in the event of a collision.

Aziz noted most new buses had the necessary safety features.

"The new buses meet safety requirement standards and are equipped with suspension, anti-lock braking systems, front disc brakes and the latest mechanical systems," he said.

He said a study would also be focused on the requirement to install Global Positioning System (GPS) trackers and speed limiters to ensure drivers comply with road safety regulations.

Aziz reminded bus companies to only hire qualified drivers with good track records in light of increasing incidences of accident caused by negligent drivers. - Bernama