“The driver on the highway is safe not when he reads the signs, but when he obeys them.”
– American author, Aiden Wilson Tozen
THE recent collision involving a university bus carrying students from Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) and a Perodua Alza on the East-West Highway in Ipoh, Perak is a stark and painful reminder of the importance of safety and accountability in public transportation.
Fifteen lives were lost – students whose futures were abruptly cut short.
Thirteen died at the scene, and two others were later pronounced dead at Gerik Hospital.
The bus, which was ferrying 42 students from Jertih, Terengganu, to UPSI’s main campus in Tanjung Malim, collided with the Alza in what has become one of the deadliest road tragedies involving a higher education institution in recent memory.
Investigations are ongoing. State Police Chief Datuk Noor Hisam Nordin confirmed that a statement has been recorded from the Alza driver, 37-year-old Mohd Lutfi Radzi, who sustained minor injuries and was discharged on the day of the crash.
His wife, Nurul Ain Zakaria, 36, and their two children, aged six and three, are still being treated at Baling Hospital, Kedah.
All are reportedly in stable condition.
As for the bus driver, a blood sample was taken at Gerik Hospital and has been sent to the Chemistry Department in Ipoh for analysis.
According to police, this is standard protocol to determine if the individual was under the influence of drugs at the time of the accident.
The outcome of this test is pending.
While investigations will ultimately reveal the cause of the crash, the incident has drawn attention to the broader concerns regarding road safety, particularly the responsibilities entrusted to commercial and public transportation drivers.
These individuals operate vehicles carrying dozens of passengers, many of whom are entirely dependent on their judgement, alertness and professionalism to ensure a safe journey.
In Malaysia, road accidents involving express or chartered buses are not new.
However, the frequency with which such incidents occur points to persistent issues within the transportation system – whether in driver training and screening, vehicle maintenance, route planning, or enforcement of safety standards.
Public transportation, especially that used by students and educational institutions, must adhere to the highest possible safety protocols.
Drivers should undergo regular health screening; be subjected to strict operating hour limits to prevent fatigue and be held to a zero-tolerance policy concerning substance use.
In recent years, there were calls from various quarters – including lawmakers, transport unions and road safety NGOs — to tighten regulations in the commercial transport sector.
These include mandatory installation of GPS tracking systems on buses to monitor speed and movement, enforcement of rest periods between long-distance trips and stricter licensing procedures for commercial drivers.
At the same time, bus operators and companies must be held accountable for their internal safety cultures.
Routine checks, pre-departure inspections and emergency preparedness are essential components of a responsible transport service.
Cost-cutting measures should never come at the expense of human lives.
The role of enforcement agencies is equally critical.
More proactive oversight and surprise audits of long-distance transport fleets can act as deterrents against complacency.
Roads such as the East-West Highway – known for its steep gradients and winding stretches – must be recognised as high-risk corridors, warranting enhanced safety measures and signage.
What makes this tragedy even more difficult to digest is the fact that it involved students – young individuals whose aspirations were tied to education and service.
Their loss is not only felt by their families but also by a society that relies on the younger generation to carry forward national development.
For a public university to mourn 15 students in one incident is both unprecedented and deeply distressing.
Moving forward, the Ministry of Transport and related agencies must take this incident as a wake-up call. The policy must translate into practice.
Guidelines must not remain on paper but be enforced in real-time, on real roads, by real people.
There must be no room for ambiguity in assigning responsibility when lives are lost under preventable circumstances.
Until then, this tragedy stands as a grim reminder of the consequences of failure – a failure to ensure that those behind the wheel are fully qualified, properly supported, and consistently monitored.
The public deserves safer roads. Families deserve peace of mind when their loved ones travel. And students – who represent the hope and future of this nation – deserve to return home.
DISCLAIMER:
The views expressed here are those of the writer and do not necessarily represent the views of Sarawak Tribune. The writer can be reached at sarahhafizahchandra@gmail.com.
