SG PETANI – Kedah targets to reduce the rate of fatal accidents to below 40% this year compared to previous years, said State Road Safety Council chairman Datuk Azman Nasrudin.
In order to achieve this target, he said seven enforcement strategies would be implemented during festive seasons, especially the coming Chinese New Year celebrations.
Azman, who is also the state Agriculture and Food Industry, Plantation and Commodity Industry, Transport and Indian Community Affairs Committee chairman, said enforcement would be carried out by the Road Transport Department (RTD) in collaboration with other related agencies.
“The strategies comprise checks on bus depots and terminals, carrying out periodic patrols on highways and major roads identified as blackspots, enforcing motorcycle laws and going undercover as passengers on public transportation.
“Other strategies include video surveillance on highways using enforcement vehicle cameras, receiving public complaints and holding road safety talks at government departments and agencies as well as institutions of higher learning,” he said.
He said this at the launch of the Integrated Ops and Road Safety Campaign in conjunction with the 2023 Chinese New Year today, which was also attended by Kedah RTD director Aman Shah Hashim and Kedah Traffic Investigation and Enforcement Department chief Mohd Mahiri Hussain.
Azman said the integrated operation with police, the National Anti-Drug Agency, Immigration and Environment Departments, would also be intensified to track down motorists who break the law.
Meanwhile, in Alor Star, Kota Setar district police chief Ahmad Shukri Mat Akhir said three hotspots, where fatal accidents and traffic congestion frequently occur, especially during festive seasons, have been identified in the district.
He said the hotspots are the Sultanah Bahiyah Highway, Jalan Alor Star to Kangar (Jalan Putra) and Jalan Alor Star to Kuala Kedah.
“We expect an influx of vehicles into Kota Setar from tomorrow due to the long weekend in conjunction with the Chinese New Year, so all traffic personnel will be stationed at the identified locations,” he said after the Ops Selamat programme at the Kota Setar police headquarters here.
He said police would also conduct patrols around business premises during the festive season. – Bernama, January 19, 2023
