KenaSaman.com

KUALA LUMPUR: The Road Transport Department (JPJ) has decided not to set up any roadblocks to ensure smoother traffic flow during the Hari Raya balik kampung rush.

However, this does not mean that motorists can commit traffic offences with impunity as officers from the department will be on the road and in disguise to snap photographic evidence of any transgression.

JPJ director-general Datuk Solah Mat Hassan said those who break traffic rules would be called for interview and issued summonses later.

He said the method was first tried last year on a trial basis and many motorists were shocked and embarrassed when shown the photographs of them breaking the law.

“The hassle of having to come to JPJ offices and being interviewed over their offences was a deterrent enough for many of them,” he said when launching JPJ Hari Raya Aidilfitri Ops yesterday.

He said the public would also be asked to play its part by snapping photos of motorists who break traffic rules and send them to JPJ.

“We expect more people to abide by the rule now because you never know when and who will take photographs of you committing road offences,” he added.

Roadblocks have been blamed as one of the causes of traffic jams especially during the holiday rush.

Solah said his department would also carry out more checks on express buses to encourage more people to take public transport to go back to their respective hometowns for the festivities.

He said studies by Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research showed it was seven to nine times safer to travel on public transport compared with cars and 48 times safer compared to riding a motorcycle.

“Public confidence on the safety and service provided by public transport companies needs to be further strengthened and JPJ, through enforcement activities will ensure that buses are safe and are driven by competent and responsible drivers,” he added.

Solah said during the Hari Raya holiday period, JPJ officers would be stationed at main bus terminals nationwide to check tyres, brakes, log books and backgrounds of drivers before buses were allowed to proceed on their journey.

“We will also conduct urine tests on drivers with the help of the police and the National Anti-Drugs Agency personnel,” he said.

JPJ officers will also board express buses as passengers to discourage drivers from breaking traffic rules like using the handphone while driving, speeding and driving dangerously.

He also reminded expressway users not to overtake or stop on emergency lanes as that could contribute to accidents and traffic congestion.

JPJ statistics showed that the number of accidents caused by vehicles stopping at emergency lanes went up by 25% last year compared with 2009, with 198 deaths recorded between 2005 and June this year.

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