Malaysia lays down bus ultimatum

By Jonathan Kent
BBC correspondent in Kuala Lumpur

Many Malaysians pay little attention to the rules of the road

The Malaysian government's road authority has threatened action that could take the country's entire express bus fleet off the roads.

It wants bus companies to punish errant drivers and settle 80,000 unpaid traffic summonses issued over the last five years.

The move is part of the government's attempts to curb the death toll.

Almost 170 people have died in more than 800 crashes in less than two weeks in Malaysia.

The government has taken action.

It has launched on-the-spot traffic fines and policemen accused of taking bribes for ignoring driving offences have been arrested.

Drivers on drugs

Now the authorities are taking aim at express buses.

Malaysia's 4,000 or so inter-city coaches average about 20 unsettled traffic summonses each - almost all of them for speeding.

The country's road authority has given bus operators an ultimatum - settle the fines and take action against drivers or be blacklisted.

Those who do not co-operate will not be able to renew licences for their vehicles.

Express buses are among the worst culprits on Malaysia's roads, not least because many of the drivers have been found to take drugs to help them stay awake on long journeys.

The country is paying the price for its modern network of fast highways and high levels of car ownership.

However, many Malaysians pay little attention to the rules of the road, and in the past, police have largely ignored the problem.