Love yourself and loved ones; be patient on road – police
KOTA KINABALU: The public, especially road users are reminded to abide by all traffic rules and regulations to prevent anything untoward happens during the coming Chinese New Year celebration.
Sabah Crime Investigation Department (CID) chief SAC Salehhudin Abdul Rahman said among factors that led to road accidents are attitudes of road users without thinking of the safety of other road users.
“Research shows that most road accidents, which sometimes led to road fatalities, were the bad driving attitude of those behind the wheels.
“They will drive fast, overtaking in a dangerous manner, driving on emergency lane, not abiding by traffic rules and regulations, and have no respect for other road users.
“Such attitude must change. Love yourself, love your loved ones, and be courteous and patient while on the road,” he said this at the launch of Ops Selamat XII in conjunction with the Chinese New Year celebration at Suria Sabah Shopping Mall, here yesterday.
Also present were City Hall (DBKK) director general Datuk Joannes Solidau, Sabah United Chinese Chambers of Commerce (SUCCC) president Tan Sri Andrew Liew Sui Fatt and Suria Sabah managing director Humphrey Tan.
Meanwhile, Salehhudin said record of road accidents in previous Ops Selamat showed a slight decline with Ops Selamat VIII in 2016 recorded 688 road accidents as compared to Ops Selamat X in 2017 with 634 road accidents during the same period.
“Although there was a drop of 54 road accident cases or negative nine percent, road fatalities however increase to eight people, with Ops Selamat VIII recording 10 fatalities while Ops Selamat X recorded 18 people,” he said.
Ops Selamat, said Salehhudin, also focused on crime prevention especially on house break-ins.
“House break-ins recorded during Ops Selamat VIII in 2016 were 63 cases, while Ops Selamat X in 2017 showed an increase of 18 house break-ins to 81 cases or 22 per cent increase,” he said.
To ensure public will have an enjoyable holiday with their friends and families during the festive celebration, about 271 officers and personnel from the State Traffic Department will be on duty to assist other police districts during Ops Selamat XII, which will begin from Feb 9 until Feb 23.
“The increase in police presence is a proactive approach to protect the communities and their properties when they are away on holiday.
“We want the people to have a safe journey home and not to worry about their homes as police will carry out patrols around their areas,” he said.