In a recent report, it was revealed that the latest version of Op Selamat witnessed nearly twice the number of summonses being issued in comparison to the same period last year.
During the Op Selamat 21 closing ceremony on Friday (Feb 16), Bukit Aman Traffic Investigation and Enforcement Department (JSPT) director Comm Datuk Mohd Azman Ahmad Sapri mentioned that a total of 201,840 summonses were issued over the six-day operation which concluded on Feb 13.
This indicated a 96% increase in summonses compared to Ops Selamat 19 which took place during the 2023 Chinese New Year period.
According to Comm Datuk Mohd Azman Ahmad Sapri, this increase was due to a lack of awareness of road laws and rules, and the JSPT’s emphasis on blackspot areas – areas with high accident rates.
“The results have led to a reduction in fatal accidents at those locations during this Ops Selamat period,” he said at the Police Training Centre (Pulapol) in Kuala Lumpur.
Fatal accidents were reduced by one case and nine deaths in total during Ops Selamat 21 compared to Ops Selamat 19.
“Cases that led to serious injuries have also dropped this year to 40 cases compared to the recorded 52 cases last year,” he said.
Statistics indicated that 74% of the total fatalities (67 deaths) during the operation period were motorcyclists and pillion riders.
In addition, home break-ins decreased by 34 cases or 12.9%.
“As a whole, Op Selamat 21, held from Feb 8 to Feb 13, has achieved its goal. The JSPT, through its ‘omni presence’ approach, also helped manage and smoothen the flow of traffic,” he said.
Comm Mohd Ahmad also addressed the confusion surrounding the use of “smart lanes” during the operation period, stating that more public engagements by both the police and highway concessionaires would be considered.
“As we know there was also that accident case at a smartlane that had gone viral and perhaps more advocacy work is required by the concessionaires and police,” he added.
“These smart lanes are not active constantly and are only in operation on certain days and times when we need to manage traffic flow,” he explained.
