BUKIT MERTAJAM: Police expect more than 2.4 million vehicles to enter the state for the Chinese New Year celebration.
Penang CPO Datuk Mohd Shuhaily Mohd Zain said on average, 200,000 to 300,000 vehicles enter and exit the state daily.
“Several locations in Penang have begun to get congested with vehicles as people are returning to celebrate Chinese New Year and to take advantage of the long holidays.
“I urge the public to obey the rules and exercise more caution on the road,” he told reporters after an Op Selamat walkabout and advocacy event held in conjunction with the festive period at the Taman Selamat public market here.
Mohd Shuhaily also said his team had identified seven stretches as hotspots for accidents, adding that police will increase monitoring and patrolling in these areas.
The roads are Jalan Teluk Air Tawar-Jalan Bagan Luar, Jalan Perusahaan Perai-Jalan Kulim, Jalan Besar Simpang Empat, Lebuhraya Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu/Jalan Ayer Itam, Jalan Ayer Itam/Paya Terubong, Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah and Jalan Tun Dr Awang.
He said that the goal of Op Selamat was to keep traffic moving smoothly by cutting down on accidents and teaching people to be more careful on the roads.
The Penang Traffic Investigation and Enforcement Department has also reintroduced Op Payung, which focuses on providing immediate police response and assistance to accidents in “black spot” areas.
Mohd Shuhaily said the areas include Lebuhraya Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu, Jalan Teluk Air Tawar, Jalan Baru Perai, Jalan Bukit Tambun and Jalan Mayang Pasir. — Bernama
