KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia: Passengers in express buses may have to buckle up soon as the Road Transport Department is planning to introduce more safety precautions.

At the moment, the department and the police are focused on enforcing the rear seat belt ruling for private vehicles. However, the second phase of the plan, which will require those on buses to belt up, is not far away.

RTD director-general Datuk Solah Mat Hassan said the department would have to wait for feedback on the rear seat belt law before moving on to the second phase.

"We can't do them simultaneously or we will lose focus. We have to wait until everything is stable, then we will get to work.

"The plan is there but we don't know when it can be enforced. If possible, we will start with the long-haul public transport, especially the new express buses."

Solah was responding to a proposal to make it mandatory for all vehicles to have rear seat belts and to impose a fine for those who do not buckle up.

He said the department would take into account all aspects of the new ruling as it concerned safety issues.

He added that it would be made compulsory for passengers of private vehicles with eight passenger seats, excluding the driver's seat, and lorries carrying 3.5 tonnes and below, registered from Jan 1, 1995, to wear seat belts.

"This is not aimed at burdening anyone. What is important is the safety of the motorists. We are thinking of enforcing it but we must also consider ways to do it.

"For new buses, we have to take into account how and where seat belts can be installed.

"There are buses which have places for people to stand, while others have seats facing the aisles. Everything has to be taken into account."

At present, he said, all new buses must install a seat belt for the seats directly behind the driver. -- The New Straits Times / Asia News Network