PUTRAJAYA - Transport Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong said the Road Safety Plan and the Integrated Operation will focus on reducing road fatalities by at least 50 per cent by 2030.
He said in conjunction with Chinese New Year, the operation which will be in force until Feb 8, will involve the police and a total of 2,200 Road Transport Department (JPJ) officers nationwide.
Fatal accidents during festive seasons, are not unusual, he said during the launch of the Integrated Operation and Road Safety campaign in conjunction with Chinese New Year, here, today.
Thus, among the initiatives by the department to improve road safety included its personnel travelling on express buses disguised as passengers to monitor drivers along major expressways, and carrying out special operations to monitor motorcyclists on the road.
Other initiatives also include voluntary vehicle inspections by the Computerised Vehicle Inspection Centre (Puspakom) and banning heavy vehicles on the roads two days before Chinese New Year and two days after the celebration.
This, he said will be enforced to reduce the rising number of road fatalities due to traffic congestion.
A total of 23,208 road accidents resulting in 230 deaths were reported during the Op Selamat which was also held in conjunction with the Chinese new Year, in 2020.
"The number of deaths which occurred within these two weeks are worrying. This is an indication that road safety awareness among drivers has yet reach a satisfactory level,” he said.
Commenting on the safety of motorcyclists, Wee said after a fruitful discussion with e-hailing company Grab Malaysia, a policy will be drafted soon to improve the company’s riders' road behaviour.
He said it was important for road users to have awareness and be responsible on the road.