Cops out for traffic offenders

KUALA LUMPUR: Motorists in KL beware! The KL cops are coming down hard on traffic offenders in a large-scale operation city-wide that began on Friday and will go on until the end of this month.

At least 16 locations within KL will be the focus of the operation code-named Respect Traffic Laws, which involves about 1,000 police officers and personnel who will be on the lookout for those who flout traffic laws and regulations.

“This is the second phase of the operation. The first one was conducted in July,” Asst Comm Sarifudin Mohd Salleh (pic) told The Star yesterday.

“Based on the success of the first operation, we hope this second phase will be able to create more awareness of the importance of obeying traffic laws,” he added.

The Kuala Lumpur Traffic Investigation and Enforcement Department chief said a total of 4,719 summonses were issued on the first day of the operation.

“Among the highest number of offences are traffic obstruction or illegal parking with 3,712 summonses, followed by stopping vehicles on pedestrian walkways and white lines (247), and driving/riding without a driving licence (108).

“Another 30 summonses were issued by the Road Transport Department,” he said.

A lorry and two motorcycles were seized during Friday’s operation, he added.

“We also detained 13 individuals for various offences, including testing positive for drugs and driving while under the influence of alcohol,” he said.

ACP Sarifudin said the operation will see police focusing on various locations, including main roads in the city.

“Among the locations are the junctions of Jalan Tun Razak, Jalan Ampang, Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman, Jalan Sultan Ismail, and Jalan Raja Laut.

“Our focus is on seven main offences, including illegal parking, running a red light, stopping on pedestrian walkways, and illegal number plates and vehicle tints,” he said.

ACP Sarifudin said some 157,000 summonses were issued during the first phase of the operation, which was conducted from July 1 to July 31.

The police received good feedback from the public following the first phase of the operation.

“We are also beginning to see the attitude of road users starting to change.

“For example, at traffic lights, drivers would ensure that their vehicles do not go over the white line or the pedestrian walkway.

“We hope this second phase will drive the message home that obeying traffic laws is not a trivial matter, it is a must,” he said.

ACP Sarifudin said the main objective of the operation was to ensure the safety of all road users.

“The latest operation will be conducted for two weeks, and we feel that it will have a positive impact. It is never our intention to inconvenience road users.

“The operation is designed to ensure that all traffic laws are adhered to and not disregarded,” he said.

The second phase of the operation will also involve other agencies including the Road Transport Department and Kuala Lumpur City Hall.

The operation received the support of NGOs, which said it is an important effort in restoring discipline among road users.

Alliance for a Safe Community chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye said such an operation is also vital towards improving road safety.

“We need it to restore discipline on our roads and we need more law-abiding road users to make our roads safer,” he said.

Offences such as crossing the white line or stopping in the yellow box near traffic lights will cause traffic hazards, he said.

“I also hope the police will also focus on those who are using their mobile phones while driving,” he added.

Malaysian International Hum-anitarian Organisation (MHO) secretary-general Datuk Hisha-muddin Hashim applauded the effort, but he said that the police should take the time of day into consideration to ensure the least amount of disruption for traffic users.

“MHO supports the police’s efforts to enforce the traffic laws on the main roads here.

“However, they must also consider how the operation would affect traffic flow when road blocks are conducted during rush hour.

“If road blocks are required, perhaps such checks can be done during non-rush hour traffic.

“Let’s us not burden road users by adding to the traffic jam,” he said.