IPOH: Up to three million vehicles are expected to ply the roads in Perak during the Hari Raya Aidilfitri festive period, says Comm Datuk Noor Hisam Nordin.
The Perak police chief said these included the highways and federal roads, with traffic expected to increase by between 20% and 30% compared to non-festive periods.
“The number of vehicles on the road has started to increase starting today (March 28). I urge all road users to plan ahead and get sufficient rest before travelling,” he said in a press conference after launching the state-level Ops Selamat 24 at Terminal Amanjaya here yesterday.
“They should also ensure their vehicles are roadworthy and always adhere to traffic rules and drive courteously.
“Most importantly, always have patience while on the road because I understand that traffic congestion can be testing.”
Comm Noor Hisam said the police have identified 21 “black spots” in the state that are prone to fatal accidents.
He said these areas included the traffic light junction along Jalan Ipoh-Lumut in Bandar Universiti, Seri Iskandar; the traffic light junction near the Slim River toll interchange; KM16 Jalan Teluk Intan-Hutan Melintang; KM12 Jalan Teluk Intan-Hutan Melintang and KM80 Jalan Ipoh-Butterworth in Simpang.
“Policemen will be deployed to monitor these areas, including carrying out mobile patrols. We want to ensure the presence of the traffic police at all times,” he said, adding that speed-capture cameras will also be used.
As for hotspots, or areas with high accident cases, Comm Noor Hisam said there were 43 of these locations.
He said these locations included KM30 of Jalan Ipoh-Lumut; KM1 of Jalan Sitiawan-Lumut; KM18 Jalan Teluk Intan-Hutan Melintang; KM23 Jalan Tun Dr S. Samy Vellu in Sungai Siput, KM1 Jalan Teluk Intan-Bidor; KM52 Jalan Ipoh-Taiping, and Simpang Pulai-Cameron Highlands traffic light intersection.
Comm Noor Hisam said the operation in the state will be held until April 3.
He said 37 senior police officers and 236 traffic policemen will be on duty during the operation, which would run for 24 hours daily.
“Our focus will be to develop public trust, to reduce road accidents, increase awareness on road safety and responsibility and also to manage traffic congestion,” he said.
In MELAKA, the state’s top cop has extended his Hari Raya wishes, expressing hopes for the safety of both revellers and motorists as the festive season approaches.
Deputy Comm Datuk Dzulkhairi Mukhtar said an estimated 200,000 vehicles are expected to enter the state during the celebrations, passing through its three main toll plazas.
“The safety of revellers and motorists is my foremost wish this Hari Raya,” he said during the launch of Ops Selamat 2025.
The road safety operation, which runs from March 29 to April 3, was launched on Thursday at Jalan Mufti Haji Khalil.
DCP Dzulkhairi said 108,000 vehicles are expected to enter via the Ayer Keroh Toll Plaza, 83,000 through the Simpang Ampat Toll Plaza and 30,000 at the Jasin Toll Plaza.
He said to ensure smooth traffic flow and safety, a total of 19 senior officers and 140 rank-and-file personnel will be deployed to monitor congestion hotspots and high-risk accident areas.
Based on last year’s statistics, DCP Dzulkhairi said 406 road accidents were recorded during the Hari Raya period, resulting in four fatalities and seven serious injuries.
He added that police would also be increasing patrols in residential and commercial areas left vacant by those travelling to celebrate Hari Raya elsewhere.
“So far, we have received 176 notifications of ‘balik kampung’ from residents via digital platforms and manual forms at various police stations throughout the state,” he added.
