By Daryll Law
KUCHING: One hundred sixty-seven traffic accidents were recorded during the first three days of Op Selamat 14, launched in conjunction with Chinese New Year.
State Traffic Investigation and Enforcement Department chief Supt Alexson Naga Chabu said the state saw an increase of 1.2 per cent in road accidents compared to the same period last year since the annual traffic safety awareness campaign was launched on Jan 29. The campaign will run until Feb 12.
He said a total of 2,246 traffic summonses had been issued during the mentioned three days this year while the department issued 1,584 summonses over the same period last year. This showed an increase of 662 summonses or 42 per cent.
Supt Alexson said such enforcement was to ensure that road users would adhere to the traffic rules and to increase awareness among road users to be courteous and careful thus reducing the number of road accidents and fatalities during the festive period.
“However, there has been a decline of 50 per cent of fatalities this year which recorded two fatalities compared to four fatalities recorded in the same period last year,” he told reporters following the Op Selamat spot check on commercial vehicles (express bus) at Kuching Sentral Bus Terminal here.
During the spot check, a total of 11 express buses were inspected and 20 summonses were issued for various offences from 8am to 10pm yesterday.
Among the offences were malfunctioned brake lamps (five), bald tyres (five), vehicles unequipped with warning triangles (five) and vehicles that were unequipped with fire extinguishers (five).
“A total of 21 bus drivers were screened, which required them to undergo urine tests. However, none of the drivers were tested positive for drugs.
“Such inspections will be carried out from time to time throughout Op Selamat 14 statewide along with other departments and agencies such as the Road and Transport Department, the National Anti-Drug Agency, Commercial Vehicles Licensing Board and the Fire and Rescue Department,” said Supt Alexson.
