‘Ops Sikap’ a success

PROUD MOMENT: Johor police chief Datuk Mohd Mokhtar Mohd Shariff (left) receiving the award from Khalid (right) for the state contingent’s success in reducing accidents during the 25th ‘Ops Sikap’. Looking on is Federal Internal Security and Public Order director Datuk Salleh Mat Rasid — Pic: Razak Ghazali

SUNGAI BULOH: This year’s 25th Ops Sikap has been hailed a success as it has achieved an overall decrease in the number of accidents and fatalities.

Statistics show road accidents were reduced by 1.4 per cent, fatal accidents by 15.3 per cent and this has led to the decline of fatalities of about 15.6 per cent compared to the same period during the Chinese New Year Ops Sikap last year.

Deputy Inspector General of Police Datuk Seri Khalid Abu Bakar, said besides the “Safe Driving” advocacy awarded by police to road users, police had also implemented on-the-spot summons to dangerous and errant road users who flouted road rules.

“This was not a threat but a reminder to every road user to be careful and courteous when on the road. The implementation of the on-the-spot summons was hoped to reduce accidents,” he said during the 25th Ops Sikap Courteous Driver Awards at Sungai Buloh R&R on the North-SouthExpressway yesterday.

The latest Ops Sikap recorded 17,054 accidents compared to 17,288 last year.

From the number, 155 fatal accidents were recorded, which was 28 cases less than last year’s 183.

“Fatalities have also decreased with a recorded 168 deaths compared to 199 deaths last year. I believe the number can be further reduced when integrated operations are conducted, not just by police but together with other agencies such as the Road Transport Department and the Malaysian Highway Authority, among others,” said Khalid, adding that police will try to implement new and better methods to reduce accidents in the next Ops Sikap.