Bus Crash on PLUS as Driver Nods Off on Heart Meds

Bus Crash on PLUS Highway After Driver Falls Asleep on Heart Medication

The core incident involves a Malaysian express bus that crashed into a road barrier on the PLUS highway near Tapah, Perak, after its driver fell asleep at the wheel due to the influence of heart medication. This event highlights a specific road safety risk in Malaysia: medication-induced drowsiness and its impact on commercial vehicle operators. The accident occurred on the North-South Expressway (PLUS), a major artery for Malaysian intercity travel, and raised questions about driver fitness standards for long-haul routes.

Key Facts

What Happened in the Plus Highway Bus Accident?

The express bus was travelling in the right lane when it is believed to have lost control and mounted the central road barrier at Kilometer 328.3 of the PLUS highway in the Bidor-Tapah section. The accident was reported to police at around 12:30 PM on Wednesday. The bus, which was en route from Kajang, Selangor, to Kulim, Kedah, was not carrying any passengers at the time of the crash.

According to Tapah District Police Chief, Superintendent Abdul Malik Hasim, a doctor at the Tapah Hospital emergency ward subsequently confirmed the driver was operating the vehicle while under the influence of heart medication, which caused him to fall asleep.

"Upon arriving at the scene, the bus which was driven in the right lane was believed to have lost control and crashed until it went up onto the road divider. The bus driver was reported to have not suffered any injuries but was taken to Tapah Hospital for treatment."

— Superintendent Abdul Malik Hasim, Tapah District Police Chief

The crash at KM 328.3 of the PLUS highway near Tapah occurred at approximately 12:30 PM on a Wednesday, when a bus driver fell asleep due to the influence of heart medication.

How Does Heart Medication Cause Drowsiness in Drivers?

Some heart medications, such as beta-blockers or certain calcium channel blockers, commonly cause drowsiness, fatigue, or dizziness as side effects. In this case, the hospital doctor at the emergency ward confirmed the driver was driving under the influence of heart medication that made him sleepy. The driver was also identified as an outpatient referred from the Kuala Ketil Health Clinic in Kedah, indicating he had an existing medical condition requiring ongoing management.

Driving under the influence of medication that impairs alertness is a known hazard for commercial drivers in Malaysia, who often undertake long journeys on highways like PLUS. The legal framework used for this case is Rule 10 of the Road Traffic Rules 1959, which addresses reckless or dangerous driving, although the specific charge relates to the manner of driving rather than the medication itself.

According to the Tapah district police, the accident was attributed to the driver's drowsiness linked to heart medication, confirmed by a doctor at the emergency ward of the Tapah Hospital.

What Are the Risks of Driving on the PLUS Highway While Drowsy?

Drowsy driving on high-speed highways like PLUS increases reaction times and the risk of catastrophic collisions, particularly at the 110 km/h speed limit. The PLUS highway is a critical north-south corridor used by thousands of Malaysian commuters and logistics vehicles daily. When a driver loses alertness, especially on a straight, monotonous stretch like the area near Bidor-Tapah, the likelihood of veering from the lane and hitting stationary objects such as concrete barriers becomes significant.

The specific location of the incident, Kilometer 328.3, is a point along the Bidor-Tapah stretch. The bus was found with the front and undercarriage damaged after getting stuck on the highway divider. This incident occurred in a context of several other bus-related mishaps in 2026, including a bus fire that caused a five-kilometre traffic jam and an immediate licence suspension by JPJ in Johor for a driver involved in an accident.

The risk of fatal accidents increases sharply on high-speed PLUS highway sections when commercial drivers operate vehicles under medication that induces drowsiness, as seen in the Tapah incident.

Who Is Responsible for Commercial Vehicle Safety in Malaysia?

Commercial bus safety in Malaysia falls under multiple agencies, including the Road Transport Department (JPJ), the Land Public Transport Agency (APAD), and the police (PDRM). In the Tapah case, the investigation is being handled by the police under the Road Traffic Rules, while the broader regulatory framework is managed by JPJ and APAD.

Earlier in July 2026, APAD introduced new regulations for express buses, which did not involve any fare increases, even though some executive segment operators were found to be selling tickets below the standard fare rate. In March 2026, JPJ also took immediate action by suspending the licence of a bus driver involved in an accident in Johor and ordered its enforcement team to conduct JPJ Inspection and Safety checks.

Traffic safety on Malaysian highways is enforced by the police under the Road Traffic Rules 1959, while vehicle and driver standards are regulated by JPJ and APAD.

How Should Authorities Respond to Medication-Related Accidents?

When investigating a bus accident, authorities must determine the cause, which includes checking for medical conditions and medication use. In this case, the police investigation revealed the driver was a patient referred from a public health clinic, highlighting the need for medical screening protocols for commercial drivers. The police have also called on witnesses with information about the crash to come forward to assist with the investigation.

The accident has been classified under Rule 10 of the Road Traffic Rules 1959. The police have urged witnesses to contact the Tapah District Police Headquarters at 05-4011222 or the investigating officer, Inspector Muhammad Najmuddin Zulkarnain, at 017-3256140. A video recording of the bus driving out of control before the collision was circulated online prior to the official police statement.

Police investigations into the Tapah bus accident have determined that the driver was under the influence of heart medication, and the case has been classified under Rule 10 of the Road Traffic Rules 1959.

Who Is This For in Malaysia?

This incident is relevant to several groups in Malaysia: commercial bus operators and drivers, commuters who rely on express bus services, regulatory bodies such as JPJ and APAD, and healthcare providers who prescribe medication to drivers. For bus operators, it underscores the need to screen drivers for medication side effects before dispatch on long-haul routes. For passengers, it raises awareness about the factors that can influence driver behaviour. The case also has implications for policy makers considering medical fitness standards for licence renewal.

The tropical climate in Malaysia, with its high humidity and heat, can exacerbate fatigue and dehydration, potentially compounding the sedative effects of certain medications. Additionally, long nonstop stretches on the PLUS highway offer little stimulation, making it easier for a driver to fall asleep.

Malaysian companies operating long-distance express buses on the PLUS highway should implement stricter pre-trip medical screenings and education programs about the dangers of medication-induced drowsiness.

Common Questions

What type of medication did the bus driver take before the Tapah crash?

The source material does not specify the exact type of heart medication involved. However, the hospital doctor confirmed that the driver was under the influence of heart medication that induced drowsiness, and the driver was identified as a patient referred from the Kuala Ketil Health Clinic in Kedah.

Was anyone injured in the bus crash on the PLUS highway?

According to the Tapah district police, the bus driver did not suffer any injuries but was taken to Tapah Hospital as a precaution. The bus was not carrying any passengers at the time, and damage was limited to the front and undercarriage of the vehicle after it mounted the road divider.

How can I report information about this PLUS highway bus accident?

Members of the public with information about the incident are urged to contact the Tapah District Police Headquarters (IPD Tapah) at 05-4011222 or the investigating officer, Inspector Muhammad Najmuddin Zulkarnain, at 017-3256140, to assist with the ongoing investigation.

Sources and Methodology

This article is based on a report from Careta, originally titled "Bas rempuh penghadang jalan di PLUS, pemandu mengantuk kerana ubat sakit jantung," published on September 2, 2026. The original Malay-language source was translated into English, and currency references, if applicable, were standardised to RM (Ringgit Malaysia). All factual claims, quotes, and statistics are drawn directly from the source material. No new data has been introduced. The article was last updated on September 5, 2026. Information specific to Malaysia was verified against the cited source from Careta.