KUCHING: Accidents detected throughout the state-wide ‘Ops Selamat’ this year, have increased by 27.4 per cent compared to last year’s figure.
The 10-day operation held in conjunction with the Chinese New Year celebration was carried out by the Sarawak Contingent Police Headquarters (IPK) from Jan 18 until 27.
Sarawak Police Commissioner Datuk Mohd Azman Ahmad Sapri said they had recorded a total of 539 accident cases, an increase of 116 cases compared to last year’s ‘Ops Selamat’ figure of 423.
“As for fatal accident cases, we have recorded a total of seven cases, which showed an increase of three cases from last year’s figure of four cases.
“Motorists formed the most number killed with a total of three victims, followed by two pedestrians and one death each involved a rider and lorry driver,” he said.
Among the factors for the increase in accidents throughout the seven-day period of ‘Ops Selamat’ this year, was negligence on the part of motorists who failed to keep good control of their vehicles while driving.
He cited among others, driving beyond the speed limit and skidding, colliding head-on and rear-ending other vehicles as its consequences.
“In addition, carelessness while overtaking other vehicles in an unsafe condition was also among the factors of accidents.
“Other factors were road factors such as potholes and sharp turns, and mechanical factors where the vehicles were not well maintained,” Mohd Azman said.
Apart from accidents, police also issued a total of 6,602 traffic summonses to road users for various traffic offences during the operation.
