Johor Traffic Offenders Will Be Handed Maximum Fines During Festive Season

Because of the high number of road accidents and fatalities during the Hari Raya festive period last year, traffic offenders caught in the state of Johor will be dealt the maximum fines this time around. 

The Star reports that this is in response to the 24 road accidents and 25 lives lost during the Hari Raya traffic surge last year, as explained by Johor police chief Senior Deputy Comm Datuk Rusli Ahmad during the launch of Ops Selamat 2015 near the Skudai toll plaza along the North-South expressway.

“Maximum compound fines will be imposed for six traffic offences to reduce the accidents statistics during the festive period. The offences include speeding, driving on the emergency lane, overtaking at double lines and failure to adhere to the traffic lights,” he said.

The fatalities recorded during Ops Selamat in 2014 are taken very seriously, which involved nineteen motorcyclists and pillion riders, two lorry drivers, as well as other types of vehicles. Rusli also said that police issued some 27,103 traffic summonses during the operation.

He encouraged motorists to drive safety during their journey back to their hometowns during the Hari Raya season, pointing to the use of rest areas for a break or a driver switch if needed.

Rusli also wanted to reiterate how those returning to their hometowns should also inform the nearest police station as part of this year’s Safe Home Campaign. Last year, he said, police made over 14,487 visits to over 7-thousand vacant homes.

“We have provided forms for holiday-goers to fill in their particulars so that we can check the areas that need extra patrols. We will conduct patrols at least twice a day around the homes of those who seek our assistance,” he said.