Speeding, Brake Failure Cause Of UPSI Bus Crash - MOT Task Force

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 23 (Bernama) -- Video analysis found that the tour bus involved in the crash that killed 15 Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) students on June 9 last year was estimated to be travelling at a speed of about 114.7 kilometres per hour (km/h), exceeding the vehicle’s safe stability limit for that route.

The Road Transport Safety Investigation final report by the Transport Ministry’s (MOT) Special Task Force stated that the road at the crash location was designed for a speed of around 70 km/h, with a regulated speed limit set at 60 km/h.

“The analysis shows that the bus was travelling at a speed far exceeding both the design speed and the permitted speed limit, thereby surpassing the vehicle’s safe stability threshold on that route at the time of the incident,” the report said

Video recordings from public vehicles near the crash site were used as an independent method to estimate the bus’s speed at the time of the incident.

The report noted that the bus was not equipped with a Global Positioning System (GPS), a Speed Limiting Device (SLD), or a dashcam, resulting in the absence of any internal vehicle recordings.

The report also stated that aggressive braking at high speed caused a sudden increase in brake component temperatures, which progressively reduced braking effectiveness.

The combination of brake failure and excessive speed caused the bus to lose stability, skid, and overturn before striking a W-beam road barrier and subsequently crashing into the rear of a Perodua Alza multi-purpose vehicle (MPV).

According to the report, penetration of the barrier into the bus cabin was identified as the primary mechanism that increased the severity of passenger injuries and fatalities.

Toxicology test results confirmed that the bus driver was not under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or prohibited substances at the time of the accident.

Investigations also found that maintenance work on the bus was carried out by a workshop that was not listed as an accredited facility, including for critical work involving the braking system and wheel hubs.

“Periodic inspection records from Pusat Pemeriksaan Kenderaan Berkomputer (Puspakom) show that the bus passed inspection at Puspakom Kota Bharu on April 13, 2025, with overall brake efficiency recorded at 59 per cent. 

“But this static test was unable to detect the potential occurrence of brake fade under conditions of heavy load and high speed,” the report added.

-- BERNAMA