354 accident cases recorded in six-day ‘Op Selamat’

KUCHING: The recently concluded six-day ‘Op Selamat’ coinciding with Hari Raya Aidilfitri in Sarawak saw a slight increase in accident cases this year compared to last year’s figures.
 
Sarawak Police Commissioner Datuk Mancha Ata said a total of 354 accident cases were recorded throughout the operation held from Apr 8 to 13.
 
This showed an increase of 29 cases, representing an 8.9 per cent rise from last year’s ‘Op Selamat’ figure of 325 accident cases.
 
“Fatal accidents and deaths totalled seven cases each in this year’s ‘Op Selamat’, with just one case less than last year’s tally of eight.
 
“Car users constituted the group with the highest number of casualties, with four victims, followed by motorcycle users with three victims,” he said in a statement.
 
Comm Mancha pointed out that the increase in accidents during ‘Op Selamat’ this year was due to various factors, including driver negligence, such as speeding, reckless manoeuvres resulting in collisions, and carelessness at junctions.
 
In addition, road conditions such as potholes and sharp turns, also contributed to the occurrence of accidents.
 
He said mechanical issues with vehicles, stemming from poor maintenance, were also identified as significant contributors to road accidents this year.