Drop in fatal accidents, thanks to Ops Selamat

SIBU: Ops Selamat has shown a positive effect with the successful reduction of fatal accident cases or death among road users.

Sarawak deputy police commissioner Datuk Ibrahim Darus said that the number of fatal accident cases decreased during Christmas celebration, citing that there were nine cases in 2022 against 12 in 2021.

“However, there were 361 cases in 2022, an increase of 14 cases as compared to 2021 of 347 cases,” he said when speaking at the launch of Ops Selamat in conjunction with 2023 Christmas celebration at Farley Supermarket here today.

Meanwhile, on the overall cases, Ibrahim said that road accident cases including fatal ones in Sarawak increased during the first 11 months of this year.

“The state road accident and fatal accident statistics for 2023 does not show the change in the attitude of road users as expected.

“In fact, from January to November this year, the number of road accidents showed an increase that is quite worrying,” he added.

Ibrahim stressed that the data was recorded despite many road safety campaigns and reminders on road safety.

“From January to November this year, the number of road accident cases increased to 19,495 cases compared to 17,829 cases last year for the same period with an increase of 1,666 cases.

“As for fatal accident cases, a total of 335 cases this year were reported as compared to 316 cases last year. This was an increase of 19 cases,” he said.

Meanwhile, on the event, Ibrahim said that the Ops Selamat Christmas 2023 from Dec 22 to 28 involved stationing 750 policemen in accident prone and traffic congestion areas throughout the state.

The Operation also covers housing areas and riverine transport involving marine police.

“The marine police team will be monitoring riverine areas that use water transportation such as Sibu, Kapit, Song, Belaga, Kanowit and Tatau and other areas that many use as river routes,” he said.

He hoped that the operation would help reduce accidents cases in the state during the Christmas celebration.