In a major move to improve road safety, Malaysia plans to mandate dashcams for all public transport and heavy vehicles, including buses, lorries, and tour coaches. This comes after a tragic bus crash in Gerik that killed 15 university students and injured 33 others.
The Land Public Transport Agency (APAD) is revising safety regulations, aiming to make in-vehicle video recorders (DVRs) compulsory by early 2026.
Gerik Crash Sparks Safety Overhaul
The fatal accident involving UPSI students revealed the dangers of not having dashcams or GPS systems onboard. Investigators had to rely on footage from a trailing vehicle to estimate the bus was travelling over 117 km/h in a 60 km/h zone. The lack of direct evidence made it hard to evaluate the driver’s behavior or the bus’s condition before the crash.
Upcoming Road Safety Measures
- Dashcam Installation: Expected to be mandatory by 2026 for all buses, tour coaches, lorries, and public transport vehicles.
- Speed Limiter Devices (SLDs): Required for all heavy vehicles from 2025.
- Seatbelt Enforcement: Starting July 1, 2025, strict enforcement on express and tour buses, as well as commercial vehicles. Passengers not wearing seatbelts may face fines up to RM300. Drivers and operators could be held liable for non-compliance.
These reforms mark a serious commitment to transparency, accountability, and saving lives in Malaysia’s transport sector.
