PUTRAJAYA: Six high-capability drones will be deployed to monitor and detect traffic offences from the air during Ops Hari Raya Aidilfitri.
Road Transport Department (JPJ) director-general Datuk Aedy Fadly Ramli (pic) said the drones will be flown over 288 hotspots identified as areas with a high number of accidents and traffic flow.
"These locations include major routes leading to the east coast states of Pahang, Kelantan and Terengganu, as well as southern routes to Johor and northern highways across the country.
"The enhanced enforcement approach focuses on the use of modern technology and stricter monitoring of traffic offences in anticipation of the surge in road traffic during the festive season," he said.
He was speaking to reporters after a breaking of fast event on Monday night.
The drones are equipped with cameras capable of zooming up to 200 times, enabling enforcement officers to clearly identify vehicle registration numbers from a distance.
Images and video footage captured will be recorded as supporting evidence during investigations.
Aedy Fadly said motorists detected committing offences will be issued a Notice to Attend an Interview (Notice 114) under the Road Transport Act 1987.
"Those who receive the notice will be required to present themselves at a JPJ office for further investigation, where drone footage will be presented as supporting evidence.
"For now, drone recordings serve only as supporting evidence and will not be used to issue summonses directly, unlike offences captured through the Automated Awareness Safety System (Awas)," he added.
He said aerial surveillance enables officers to monitor traffic movement more comprehensively and detect offences difficult to identify through conventional ground monitoring.
All personnel assigned to operate the drones have undergone specialised training and are required to hold valid operating licences.
Nearly 3,000 JPJ personnel will be mobilised for the operation between March 13 and 19.
All department vehicles have been instructed to conduct patrols along major roads and highways.
Aedy Fadly said they will also focus on motorists who misuse emergency lanes, describing the offence as a serious safety concern.
A total of 12,164 emergency lane offences were recorded between 2023 and February this year, including 689 cases detected between January and Feb alone.
"Emergency lanes are strictly reserved for emergency purposes," he stressed.
