KUALA LUMPUR: Government agencies together with the private sector have launched a road safety campaign as well as integrated operation in conjunction with the coming Chinese New Year celebration.
The safety campaign and integrated operation aimed at creating awareness among road users during the festive season are jointly organised by the Road Transport Department (RTD), Road Safety Department and Sri Petaling Hotel.
Seputeh member of parliament Teresa Kok described the collaboration between the public and private sectors as an effort by the government reduce road accidents and deaths cases, which were usually high during festive seasons.
According to the statistic from the police, the number of deaths due to road accidents recorded from January until November last year dropped to 5,661 cases compared to 6,284 cases during the same period in 2018.
“The number of deaths recorded due to road accidents in the Federal Territories alone up to November last year was 192 cases.
“The statistics on death and road accidents over the years has always been increasing and efforts are needed to reduce them.
“Malaysia has been listed among the top three countries that have high rates of death and road accidents, which is quite alarming. Hence, efforts and initiatives by all quarters, not just the government, should be intensified.
“Such efforts (road safety campaign) will gradually change the road user's mentality so that the number of death and road accidents can be reduced," she said in her speech at the 'Ops Bersepadu' and Road Safety Campaign in conjunction with Federal Territories-level Chinese New Year celebration launching ceremony here today.
Present were Kuala Lumpur RTD director Datuk Ismail Mohd Zawawi, Brickfields district deputy police chief Superintendent Basri Sagoni, Kuala Lumpur Road Safety Department director Azharul Izwan Puaadi and Sri Petaling Hotel general manager Hizam Shah Omar.
The road safety programme, which started last Thursday, will be held until Feb 2.
A flag-off session of the enforcement vehicles and other relevant advocates was officiated by Kok at the ceremony.
She also handed over gift bags and the road safety campaign materials to road users near the hotel.