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One-day course to instill a sense of responsibility amongst express bus drivers is a good move Press Statement by John Chung (Petaling Jaya, Friday):  DAP welcomes the announcement by the Commercial Vehicle Licensing Board (CVLB) that beginning next year, express bus drivers will be required to undergo a one-day course conducted by the board to instill a sense of responsibility among the drivers. It is high time that such a course be held to educate express bus drivers on safety driving in view of the increase in the number of accidents involving express buses. Indeed, express bus drivers have an onerous responsibility to drive with care as the safety of their passengers rests on their shoulders. Ideally, such courses should be introduced for all aspiring express bus drivers, including drivers of other commercial vehicle, so that right from the outset, they would be inculcated with a strong sense of responsibility and made to understand the perils of reckless driving as well as mindful of the grave consequences of accidents involving big vehicles. Bus companies should also play their part by carefully screening through the drivers that they employ to ensure that only those who are responsible and adopt good driving habits are hired. They must also ensure that the express buses at their disposal are roadworthy. At the same time, the authorities concerned should put their heads together to address the ineffectiveness and serious lack of enforcement of the black box measure to check the problem of speeding amongst express bus drivers, as a recent operation conducted by the Road Transport Department (RTD) at the Senawang-Ayer Keroh Highway had revealed that 90% of express and tour buses had faulty black boxes. (20/12/2002) * John Chung, DAP National Publicity Bureau Assistant Secretary