MOT to use digital monitoring for driver fatigue and sleep apnea, reinforcing road safety reforms in Malaysia, sparked by the UPSI bus crash.
We Will Look at This Matter Comprehensively – Deputy Transport Minister
The Ministry of Transport (MOT) is considering to use digital monitoring system technology to track driver fatigue and health levels, particularly regarding sleep disorders and sleep apnea.
According to Bernama, discussions have involved industry operators, innovators, and logistics companies across both heavy and light transport. Deputy Transport Minister Datuk Hasbi Habibollah confirmed that the matter is under review.
“We are aware of (sleep apnea). In the past, it (the digital driver health monitoring system) was once raised about its cost, because it will cost hundreds of ringgit for each check and so on. However, with this new MoA (memorandum of agreement), we will look at this matter comprehensively,” he said during a question and answer session at Dewan Negara.
In May, the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (MIROS) and Alpha International Training and Consultancy signed an MoA to develop and implement specialised training programmes in the field of road safety, including the Sleep Management and Rehabilitation Certification Programme.
This programme aims to address the issue of sleep deprivation and its impact on road safety, while raising awareness, encouraging behavioural change, and equipping drivers—especially commercial drivers and transport operators—with the skills to manage fatigue.
Hasbi added that the ministry is also considering advanced technologies such as a driver identity recognition system embedded in steering wheels, which could detect vital signs like heart rate as soon as the driver grips it.
“We are taking note of this matter (including) with the MoA made with the industry on sleep apnea. The ministry will formulate what is the outcome from there (MoA) and what is the next way forward on this,” he said.
Latest Effort to Improve Road Safety
In recent months, the Malaysian government, particularly through the Ministry of Transport (MOT) and the Road Transport Department (JPJ), has stepped up its campaign to strengthen road safety. The proposal to deploy technology for monitoring driver health is the most recent addition to this broader effort.
Earlier measures included the enforcement of speed limiting devices (SLD), progress toward establishing a Malaysian Transportation Safety Board (MTSB), tighter driver licensing regulations, and mandatory seatbelt use for both drivers and passengers. Authorities have also required buses to be fitted with CCTV, GPS tracking systems, and proper internal wiring, while transport operators are now subject to continuous audits to ensure compliance.
The push to implement speed limiters has not been without resistance. The Johor Trucking Association (JTA) recently urged the government to postpone the October 2025 deadline for mandatory SLD installation until January 2026, citing unresolved issues such as limited device supply, unclear installation procedures, a lack of certified workshops, and difficulties retrofitting older vehicles.
Meanwhile, JPJ disclosed that more than 60% of commercial vehicle companies failed to meet safety standards during audits carried out under Ops Khas JISA between June and July 2025, with improper GPS installation identified as the most common problem. Companies have been given one month to rectify these issues or risk losing their permits, while repeat offenders will be referred to the Land Public Transport Agency (APAD).
Despite pushback and implementation setbacks, the Malaysian government remains firm that all regulations must be upheld. Transport Minister Anthony Loke has previously called on members of the Dewan Rakyat to support the government’s initiatives, stressing that these measures are essential to safeguarding road safety and preserving human lives.
These wide-ranging reforms were prompted, in particular, by the UPSI bus crash in June 2025, one of the deadliest road accidents in recent years. The incident, which occurred along the East–West Highway near Gerik, Perak, claimed 15 lives—most of them university students—and left dozens more injured.
