Drop in fatal accidents during festive seasons – Dr Jerip
SARIKEI: There has been a slight drop in the number of fatal road accidents in the state during festive seasons despite more congested roads.
After launching the state-level road safety campaign for Hari Raya Aidilfitri yesterday, Assistant Minister of Transportation Datuk Dr Jerip Susil said it was heartening to note that road safety campaigns were making a difference.
From January to April this year, 117 fatal accidents were recorded in the state, a drop of 12 per cent or 17 cases compared to 134 cases during the same period last year.
The number of road users killed during that period also dropped to 126 compared to 151 last year.
However, the number of accidents involving damage to vehicles during the period increased from 6,160 last year to 6,287 this year, whereas minor accidents increased from 100 last year to 108 this year.
Dr Jerip stressed that accidents could be avoided if all road users are well- disciplined and courteous.
The state Road Safety Council deputy chairman said the Public Works Department has been tasked to rectify the condition of roads identified as accident-prone areas.
He said the implementation of the mitigation programme has reduced the number of accident blackspots from over 70 to over 30.
On the safety campaign, he said Sarikei was chosen because it recorded the highest number of registered motorcycles among the divisions, adding motorcyclists have the highest risk of accidents among road users.
Among those present at the campaign launch were Sarikei Deputy Resident Abang Mohd Porkan Abang Budiman, Sarikei district police chief Supt Mat Jusoh Muhamad, Julau district police chief DSP Bidol Noyeng, and state Road Safety Department director Davina Agnes Enteli.