PETALING JAYA: With the festive rush of Chinese New Year coinciding with the start of Ramadan, the roads are expecting to face a storm of congestion.
Inspector-General of Police Datuk Seri Mohd Khalid Ismail said upward of 2.8 million vehicles are projected to hit the roads during this festive period.
He said police aim to reduce road accidents and fatalities by at least 5% compared to statistics from the previous Ops Selamat.
“Enforcement will be carried out strictly and without compromise against traffic offences identified as the main causes of fatal accidents.
“These include speeding, dangerous overtaking, using mobile phones while driving, disregarding traffic lights and driving while fatigued or drowsy.
“Every loss of life is tragic and must serve as a serious reminder that road safety cannot be compromised,” he said in a speech read by Bukit Aman Crime Prevention and Community Safety Department director Comm Datuk Seri Mohd Yusri Hassan Basri during the launch of Ops Selamat 25 at the Sungai Buloh R&R yesterday.
The operation will run from Feb 15 to 20.
Police will closely monitor 25 traffic congestion-prone areas and 46 accident-prone areas (known as black spots) along the country’s major highways.
Mohd Khalid also said a total of 3,148 crime prevention hotspots have been identified nationwide, where police will conduct patrolling duties.
Of the total hotspots, Selangor recorded 764 locations and Kuala Lumpur 446.
Some 6,543 policemen would be deployed on crime prevention duties round-the-clock throughout the operation, he said.
“These patrols will be conducted on a shift rotation basis, covering 1,129 patrol areas across all contingents.
“The focus areas include residential areas, business premises, places of worship, schools and the identified hotspot areas,” he added.
Comm Mohd Yusri noted that the convergence of Chinese New Year and the start of the fasting month would further increase traffic volume.
