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As Op Selamat 9 is conducted for this year’s Hari Raya Aidilfitri season, casualties on the road can be expected to increase even further, says the chief of federal police Traffic Enforcement and Investigation Department (TEID) Datuk Mahamad Akhir Darus in a New Straits Times report.

Motorists, especially those driving back to their hometowns this festive season, should practise safe driving if they want to reach their destinations safely, he said.

“While life and death is determined by God, and it is not our place to say about whether there will be many deaths or not, the trend shows that number of accidents and fatalities might continue to increase this time around (Op Selamat 9).

“If road users still continue to flout traffic rules, have no respect for others and drive recklessly, there will surely be a hike in accident cases,” said Akhir. He added that the Op Selamat recorded 330 deaths last year, up 39.2% from the 237 deaths in 2014.

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Among the major causes of fatal accidents were losing control of the vehicle, entering the opposite lane, attempting to overtake at dangerous spots and making dangerous turns at junctions.

These were caused by factors including reckless driving, flouting of traffic rules, inconsiderate behaviour on the road, and selfish acts, added Akhir. Statistics also showed a total of 20,458 non-fatal accident cases during 2015’s Op Selamat for Hari Raya compared to 18,484 cases the previous year, according to the report.

For Op Selamat 9, the latest which started June 29 and will run until July 13, Akhir said the TEID will be “going all out” with its enforcement concept, while focusing on six major offences – illegal use of emergency lanes, overtaking at double lines, running red lights, speeding, jumping queues and using mobile phones while driving.

The authorities have also formed 14 emergency response teams comprising personnel from multiple agencies, including the police, Fire and Rescue Department, St John Ambulance, Civil Defence Department and Red Crescent Society for the operation, Akhir added.

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