Kota Kinabalu: Sabah police have taken a fresh approach in Ops Selamat 20 by mobilising teams to ensure smooth traffic flow instead of setting up the usual roadblocks over the Hari Raya festive period.
The Ops Selamat 20 is to ensure smooth traffic flow for the convenience of road users, said Sabah Acting Police Commissioner Datuk Jauteh Dikun when launching it along Jalan Tuaran, here.
“Our teams will be mobile, there will be no roadblocks during the Ops Selamat 20. Where there is heavy traffic congestion, we will be there,” he said.
“While traffic police maintain efficient traffic flow, policemen from other divisions will also patrol residential areas, particularly in areas where many people travel to their hometowns,” he added.
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“Be physically and mentally prepared for long-distance travel, do not drive while exhausted and do not speed,” he said.
He cited examples of minor accidents or unexpected vehicle problems, saying the drivers involved should call the police so that prompt action can be taken to handle the issue.
He said their traffic patrols discovered that one issue that hinders a smooth flow of traffic is when drivers involved in minor accidents fail to move their vehicles to the side of the road or away from the main route.
“In order to avoid impeding traffic, they should move their vehicles to the side of the road.
“In a similar vein, we as well as other law enforcement agencies involved with traffic enforcement must also refrain from parking their patrol cars at places that could impede traffic flow,” he said.
“Everyone must cooperate to ensure seamless traffic movement,” he stressed.
For Ops Selamat 20, a total of 460 personnel of various ranks will be deployed and 80 to 100 officers will be keeping an eye on the situation.
According to Jauteh, there are a number of hotspots that have consistently hampered a smooth flow of traffic, notably on roads with U-turns.
“We are aware that U-turns are frequently the source of smooth traffic flow disruptions, particularly when vehicles are making U-turns while cutting into two lanes,” he said.
Additionally, he urged drivers to drive with patience and tolerance.
“We notice that there are those taking alternative routes, driving out of the main road, which can actually be another cause of smooth traffic flow disruption,” he said.
Also present were Sabah Traffic Enforcement and Investigation Department Chief Supt Rosdi Mat Jusoh and Deputy City Police Chief Supt Kalsom Idris, among others.
In BEAUFORT, a total of 68 road vehicles were inspected by the police and Road Transport Department (JPJ) during a roadblock conducted as part of the Ops Selamat.
Beaufort District Police Chief DSP Yussof Zaki Mat Yaacob said 15 motorcars, 15 four- wheel-drives, eight multipurpose vans (MPV) and 30 motorcycles were inspected.
He said 25 summonses were issued for various offences related to accessories (5), plate number (1), seatbelts (2), brake lamps (1), expired motor vehicle licence (2), failure to install headlights (6), bald tires (4), honks (2) and broken speedometers (2).
The summonses were issued on 22 motorcycles, two motorcars and 1 MPV.
Yussof said the operation was conducted to advise road users to be more careful on the road in view of the Hari Raya celebrations where many will be travelling back to their hometowns.
In KINABATANGAN, the approach based on “Total Enforcement and Services”, which is the strict and targeted enforcement of operations, continues in Op Selamat in conjunction with Aidilfitri at accident-prone locations along the Sandakan-Kinabatangan-Lahad Datu road.
Kinabatangan District Police Chief Supt Dzulbaharin Ismail said police will implement Op Selamat 20 themed “Safe Home, Reach Destination” for eight days starting from April 20.
“This operation will focus on the enforcement of road laws as well as crime prevention to minimise road accidents, especially fatal accidents, house burglaries and business premises.
“Traffic enforcement personnel together with the police, patrol cars (MPVs) and other branches as well as intelligence and operations will be organised holistically and systematically to prevent road accidents and criminal cases,” he said at the launch of the Kinabatangan Police Express Bus Op at Km 78, Jalan Sandakan-Lahad Datu.
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