Kota Kinabalu: Sabah police will implement Ops Selamat two days before Hari Raya Aidilfitri until two days after the celebration, targeting a repeat of the zero road-fatality record set during Chinese New Year.
“We hope during Ops Selamat for Hari Raya Aidilfitri, just as during Ops Selamat for Chinese New Year, road fatalities in Sabah will be zero,” State Police Commissioner Datuk Jauteh Dikun (pic) told a media conference, Wednesday.
He said research by the Sabah traffic police showed road conditions were not the main cause of accidents in the State.
“The truth is, accidents do not happen simply because of the state of the roads. Ninety per cent of road accidents in Sabah, based on studies carried out by our traffic police, are caused by self-negligence.
“Drowsiness, drunk driving, using a handphone while driving, speeding. Those are the causes. That is why I say 90 per cent comes from self-negligence, while only 10 per cent involves other factors,” he said.
He also urged road users to slow down and exercise patience when travelling during the festive season.
“We ask all road users to be patient on the road. There is no need to rush. We do not get a prize for arriving at our destination quickly. Getting to our destination safely…that is the most important thing,” Jauteh said.
He reminded road users to get enough sleep before setting off and to stay off the phone while driving, even to send festive greetings.
“There is no need to reply to Hari Raya greetings while driving. We must arrive safely at our destination,” he said.
