Chinese New Year is a time for celebration, but let’s not forget about our safety, especially on the roads!
Photo: The Edge Markets
There has been a shocking 138 deaths in just 9 days of the police’s Op Selamat traffic safety operation, which was conducted since 18 January, in conjunction with the festive season.
According to Bukit Aman Traffic Investigation and Enforcement director Datuk Azisman Alias, 94 of the fatalities involved motorcyclists and pillion riders.
“A total of 14,087 road crashes were recorded nationwide, with 4,089 of them in Selangor, followed by Johor (2,194), Kuala Lumpur (1,616) and Penang (1,147),” he said.
The state of Selangor recorded the highest number of fatalities, while Johor came in second, followed by Sarawak and Kedah.
The police also issued a total of 233,454 summons during the operation, with 146,008 of them for offences which includes using handphone while driving, beating traffic lights, speeding, driving on emergency lanes and overtaking on double lines.
Considering the above information, here are simple tips to ensure your safety on the road this Chinese New Year:
- Be prepared for long distance driving, check your car engine, tyre condition and everything in between to ensure a smooth drive to your destination
- Plan your journey ahead by checking the local speed limit and traffic conditions
- Always stay alert, which means making sure you are well rested the night before and stopping for coffee or light refreshments when you’re tired, as accidents usually happen when one or both driver isn’t aware of each other’s driving or surrounding environment.
- Be patient. There’s going to be a lot of cars on the road and people will generally become more irritable. Concentrate on your own driving and avoid any road rage incidents.
- Obey the rules – it’s as simple as that. Don’t text and drive, wear your seatbelts and do not drive under the influence of any drugs or alcohol.
We hope everyone is having a good time with family and friends this holiday season, but remember, it’s always better to be safe than sorry!
By: Siti Farhana Sheikh Yahya
