Raya is around the corner and we’re pretty sure that everyone is getting ready to balik kampung!
Nevertheless, heading back to our hometowns during this festive season can be a bit of a hassle because of the awful traffic. Therefore, you may encounter some people trying to break the rules in order to shave a few minutes off their journey – like using the emergency lane in order to escape the bad traffic.
Since it’s against the rules to pull a stunt like that, Transport Minister Anthony Loke said that the public can take a picture of cars using the emergency during heavy traffic.
With that photo evidence, the public can lodge a report with the JPJ (Jabatan Pengangkutan Jalan) using the picture of the car. He was quoted by Berita Harian as saying,
“If any vehicles purposely drive on the emergency lane, we ask the public to lodge a report so appropriate actions may be taken.”
Meanwhile, motorists are also encouraged to report other traffic offences like cutting the road queues, etc.
However, do make sure that you have all the accurate information needed – like the vehicle’s registration number – before you lodge a report via JPJ’s WhatsApp hotline at 013-4498997.
Source: Facebook
Nonetheless, Loke also urged the public to refrain from taking matters into their own hands. Instead, he requested the public to allow the authorities to take care of the matter. Take note, guys!
On the other hand, Loke said that the Ministry of Transport has issued a five-day ban for heavy vehicles on the following dates:
- 1 June 2019
- 2 June 2019
- 3 June 2019
- 8 June 2019
- 9 June 2019
Loke continued, saying,
“The ministry will continue to raise awareness campaigns and focus on enforcement on federal roads, municipal roads and rural roads in order to reduce road accidents.”
Source: Facebook
Loke revealed that 20,829 accidents were reported earlier this year (2019), according to the Road Safety Campaign statistics which was launched in accordance with Chinese New Year 2019. The above-mentioned figure was actually lower than the number of accident cases (21,041) recorded in 2018.
On top of that, there was also a decrease in the mortality rate as only 197 deaths were recorded in 2019 compared to 208 deaths which were recorded last year. After officiating the Ops Sepadu and Road Safety Campaign in accordance with Aidilfitri 2019, Loke concluded,
“In my opinion, the mortality rate for two weeks of the festive season is still high. Thus, I hope everyone including motorists will work together and help us reduce this number.”
You heard the man, let’s all join forces to reduce the mortality rate this time!
That said, what do you think of the Ministry of Transport’s initiatives? Fire away in the comments below!
Also read: M’sian Man Bows And Apologises to Road Users After His Stalled Lorry Causes Traffic Jam
