Sunday 10 February 2013

Road Safety Department to ensure safer journeys for Chinese New Year

Road safety authorities have shifted into high gear to ensure motorists have a safe journey back to their hometowns for the coming Chinese New Year.

The Road Safety Department will be increasing the number of programmes promoting road safety from an average of once to five times a week during the festive season.

The programmes include distributing pamphlets on road safety to motorists and providing free helmets to motorcyclists in exchange for helmets deemed not up to standard.

Department programme and project implementation director Mohd Rusdi Mohd Darus said that the pamphlets contained safety tips urging motorcyclists to put on their helmets and motorists to check their vehicle tyres before travelling.

“We will distribute them at toll plazas, highway rest areas and other places,” he said yesterday, adding that the number of pamphlets distributed would be tripled in view of the expected increase in traffic.

Mohd Rusdi said that the department would also give away 20 to 50 free helmets per event to motorcyclists who do not have proper ones.

Nevertheless, he said the department's theme for its safety campaign was to encourage road users to use public transport to return to their hometowns as it was safer than driving in heavy traffic.

Road Transport Department (JPJ) enforcement director Jaafar Mohamed said JPJ would station its officers at bus terminals nationwide to conduct enforcement measures during the festive period.

“At least four officers will be stationed at each terminal per shift to check the driving licences of the bus drivers.

“We will also be cooperating with the National Anti-Drug Agency and police narcotics department to conduct urine tests to ensure bus drivers are not under the influence of drugs,” he said.

He said some officers would be on duty for 24 hours at busy bus terminals such as Puduraya and the bus stations at Ipoh and Alor Setar.

“The checks will be carried out until Feb 17. The Automated Enforcement System will still be in operation during the Chinese New Year season to encourage motorists to adhere to road laws,” Jaafar said.

On Tuesday, Transport Minister Datuk Seri Kong Cho Ha said 1,500 JPJ officers would be deployed to conduct enforcement.
 

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