Since the start of 2023, there have been 203 bus-related road accidents across Malaysia, mainly due to speeding, according to the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM).
Out of these, 39 crashes were fatal, while 68 people were seriously injured and 197 sustained minor injuries, said PDRM in a Facebook post on June 23, 2025.
Common causes: Speed, poor maintenance, mechanical failure
PDRM said their analysis found that many of these crashes involved buses going over the speed limit, poor vehicle maintenance, and mechanical failure due to stress from long-distance driving, especially when managed by bus companies that cut corners.
The Director of the Traffic Investigation and Enforcement Department (JSPT), Datuk Seri Mohd Yusri Hassan Basri, revealed that 120 bus crashes were recorded in 2023 alone, with 85 more in 2024 and 38 cases just in the first five months of 2025.
Rainy weather, reckless driving & drug/alcohol influence also factors
He also highlighted that many accidents happen when drivers lose focus during long-distance drives, especially in the rain or on slippery roads.
“There are also cases where the driver was under the influence of alcohol or drugs,” he added, citing a recent case involving an express bus that crashed into a divider near Jalan Pahang, Kuala Lumpur, on June 18.
That incident saw the bus driver testing positive for drugs.
What’s being done?
He stressed the importance of better vehicle upkeep and for bus companies to be held accountable. He urged operators to be more responsible to avoid further accidents.
“Speeding and poor maintenance continue to be major issues,” he said.
