Over-Speeding Identified as Major Offense During Op Selamat in Johor for Chinese New Year

Memandu melebihi had kelajuan (over-speeding) has been identified as the leading traffic violation during the first six days of Op Selamat in Johor, conducted in conjunction with the Chinese New Year celebrations.

Johor Police Chief, Datuk M Kumar, stated that a total of 11,645 summonses were issued, with 3,963 of them for over-speeding offenses, during the operation which began on January 28.

He noted that the number of summonses issued showed a decrease compared to the 23,386 summonses issued during the same operation last year, reflecting a positive trend in road safety.

“The Johor Traffic Investigation and Enforcement Department has been incorporating advocacy in addition to enforcement during this operation. As a result, public awareness of traffic regulations has shown significant improvement,” said Datuk Kumar in a statement on Monday.

Overall, Johor police recorded impressive results during Op Selamat, with a decrease in accident rates. 1,169 accidents were reported, compared to 1,221 accidents last year. Fatal accidents also saw a drop, with eight deaths this year, compared to 13 last year. The total number of fatalities also decreased to eight from 16 during the same period.

Datuk Kumar also mentioned that 40 individuals were arrested for various traffic offenses, including 23 who were charged under Section 45A (1) of the Road Transport Act 1987 for driving under the influence of alcohol and exceeding the allowed limit. Additionally, 15 individuals were arrested under Section 42 of the same Act for reckless and dangerous driving.

The police also reported receiving 542 “balik kampung” (homecoming) reports via the Volunteer Smartphone Patrol (VSP) app, along with forms from nearby police stations. As part of the operation, 3,505 visits and patrols were conducted in residential areas, with no recorded cases of housebreakings during this period.

In conclusion, while the number of traffic offenses decreased, the police continue to emphasize the importance of road safety, urging the public to remain vigilant and compliant with traffic laws throughout the festive season.