Police: Spike in road accidents recorded since work-from-home order lifted

KUALA LUMPUR (Bernama): Police are recording an average of 180 cases of road accidents daily in Kuala Lumpur since the work-from-home (WFH) order was lifted on April 1.

Kuala Lumpur Traffic Investigation and Enforcement Department (JSPT) chief Asst Comm Zulkefly Yahya (pic) said the total accidents almost tripled compared to 50 to 70 cases daily when the government ordered employees to work from home.

He said about 60% to 70% of the accidents involved four-wheel drive vehicles while the rest were motorcycles.

"Similarly, on weekends, we received an average of 70 to 80 accident cases daily.

"We believe the matter occurred due to additional traffic with people starting to drive to work as well as the factor of the economy picking up, ” he told reporters after a JSPTKL Bubur Lambuk distribution programme with Pakatan Pemandu at Jalan Duta toll plaza here Wednesday (April 28).

Also present was Deputy National Unity Minister Datuk Seri Ti Lian Ker and Pakatan Pemandu president Nor Aizam Abd Kadir.

Zulkefly said accident cases were usually reported on routes of people driving to work while fatal accidents were reported mostly after 10 pm.

According to him, the number of vehicles on the road now has surpassed 90% from WFH days and despite no interstate movements, accident cases are rising.

On March 30, Senior Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob announced the WFH order had been lifted for the public and private sectors while the manufacturing sector was allowed to work 100% on-site. - Bernama