Penang cops launch Op Selamat 17 in conjunction with CNY
GEORGE TOWN: State police will be deploying 110 officers and personnel members from the Traffic Investigation and Enforcement Department during the coming Chinese New Year period to ensure smooth traffic.
Penang police chief Comm Datuk Mohd Shuhaily Mohd Zain said this after launching Op Selamat 17, which would be held for 10 days from Jan 28 to Feb 6.
“The operation themed ‘Rumah selamat, selamat sampai ke destinasi’ aimed to reduce road accident especially fatal accidents, to focus on traffic enforcement and service to the public and to ensure the safety of the houses left vacant during the festive period,” he said after visiting Jalan Perak temporary hawker centre (TPS) on Friday (Jan 28).
Comm Mohd Shuhaily said the operation would be assisted by the Crime Prevention and Community Safety Department (JPJKK), Road Transport Department (JPJ), local authorities and Department of Environment.
Comm Mohd Shuhaily said police have identified several accident-prone roads including Jalan Teluk Ayer Tawar – Jalan Bagan Luar in North Seberang Prai, Jalan Perusahaan Prai-Jalan Kulim in Central Seberang Prai, Jalan Besar Simpang Empat (KM12-KM32) in South Seberang Prai, Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway and Jalan Ayer Itam in the northeast district and Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah and Jalan Tun Dr Awang in the southwest district.
Also present during the visit was Batu Lanchang assemblyman Ong Ah Teong.
Comm Mohd Shuhaily also took the opportunity to greet the public and traders at Jalan Perak TPS Happy Chinese New Year during the visit.
He said police had also identified six major offences committed by drivers, including using mobile phones while driving, cutting queues, abusing the emergency lane, jumping the red light, speeding and cutting queues at the double-line.
Comm Mohd Shuhaily said although the number of deaths had reduced from the Chinese New Year Ops Selamat in 2020 compared to 2019, the number of accidents had increased.
“There were 1,823 accidents with 14 deaths in 2019 and 1,899 accidents with nine deaths in 2020,” he said.
He said with most of the economic sector having been opened and ease of restrictions, police expected a higher number of vehicles on the road this year.
He said Penangites who work out of the state and overseas would take the opportunity to celebrate the festival with their loved ones.
“We expected about 50,000 cars on the road especially at the hot spot areas during the festive period.
“I would like to advise motorists to be more courteous on the road and make sure they follow all traffic rules,” he said.
Comm Mohd Shuhaily also advised those leaving their homes during the holidays to register with the police.
He said this would prompt the police to keep an eye on their homes while they were away.