Only 32 per cent operators comply with safety standards - Miros

SHAH ALAM – A study conducted by the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (MIROS) on adherence to the Industry Code of Practice for Transport Safety (ICOP) revealed that only 32 per cent of public transport and commercial vehicle operators complied with the standard in 2022.

ICOP provides operational safety guidelines for licensed bus operators and freight vehicles, outlining key measures to meet safety requirements.

MIROS director-general Dr Siti Zaharah Ishak said that the compliance rate was significantly higher, 93.6 per cent among operators holding more than four vehicle permits.

“In terms of vehicle categories, express and tour bus operators achieved better compliance rates at 78 per cent and 71 per cent, respectively, compared to lorry operators at four per cent and worker buses at zero per cent.

“These findings highlight the need to increase safety awareness through training, guidance and more frequent audits, especially for operators with low compliance levels.

“This approach is expected to improve safety among drivers and heavy vehicle operators,” she told Sinar.

Zaharah further highlighted that MIROS had issued five safety guidelines for the industry to enhance the safety of heavy vehicles overall.

She said that the Code of Practice for Safety, Health and Environment for Transportation serves as a fundamental guide for the sector.

“To provide practical guidance for employers in ensuring the safety and health of workers and the public in road transport activities, the Occupational Safety and Health Industry Code of Practice for Road Transport Activities (2010) is utilised.

“In addition, specific guidelines are available for the courier service sector to ensure operational safety and efficiency,” she said.

She also pointed out that MIROS conducted various studies to understand and address safety issues involving heavy vehicles such as lorries and buses.

These include analyses of heavy vehicle accident characteristics and studies on driver fatigue.

“The objective is to identify contributing factors to accidents, such as driver fatigue, vehicle speed and risks associated with sleep apnea,” she said.

Factors contributing to heavy vehicle accidents

The study identified key causes of accidents involving heavy vehicles, including:

Speeding: A significant factor leading to collisions.

Overloading: Reducing vehicle stability and brake efficiency.

Mechanical failures: Faulty brakes and tyre blowouts increasing risks.

Driver fatigue: Leading to incidents of drivers falling asleep at the wheel.

Traffic signal violations: Including running red lights.

Unsafe Practices and negligence: Such as arbitrary roadside stops or failing to secure vehicles, resulting in dangerous situations for other road users.