S’wak police: 8,804 summonses issued under Op Selamat 22 for Hari Raya

Op Selamat 22 for Hari Raya Aidilfitri recorded a whopping issuance of 8,804 summonses in Sarawak over various traffic offences, from April 8 to 13.

This showed an increase of 491.7 per cent, or 7,316 summonses, over the 1,489 summonses issued during last year’s operation for the festival.

Sarawak police commissioner Datuk Mancha Ata said the increase in the number of summonses issued could be attributed to total and targeted enforcements on traffic offences that could lead to road accidents.

“However, the focus was also on providing smooth traffic flow for road users,” he said in a statement.

In total, 354 road accidents were recorded during Op Selamat 22, a slight increase of 8.9 per cent over the 325 cases recorded during the holiday period last year.

Mancha said there were seven fatalities this year, versus eight cases recorded last year.

Four of the fatal victims were travelling in cars, while the remaining three were on motorcycles, he added.

“Among the causes of the increase in the number of accidents during Op Selamat was due to motorists’ carelessness where they failed to control their vehicles when driving, especially when they drove beyond the speed limits, which led to vehicular collisions.

“Other factors include road and terrain conditions such as potholes and sharp turns. Mechanical factors of vehicles that were not well maintained could also lead to accidents,” he said.

Mancha also advised road users to always abide by road traffic regulations and be concerned for their own safety, as well as that of their family members.