The 24th Ops Sikap during Aidilfitri from Aug 23 until Tuesday saw an increase in the number of accidents and deaths
compared with last festive season.
Inspector-General of Police Ismail Omar said the accident figure increased by 16.6 per cent to 19,606 this year while fatal accidents rose by 16.5 per cent to 259 cases with 289 deaths.
He said Selangor recorded the highest number of accidents with 4,380 cases followed by Johor (2,346), Kuala Lumpur (1,956), Penang (1,392), Perak (1,377), Kedah (833), Negeri Sembilan (820), Pahang (806), Kelantan (640), Melaka (638),
Sabah (543), Terengganu (536), Sarawak (482) and Perlis (68).
Motorcyclists and pillion riders accounted for the highest number of deaths (178) followed by car passengers (67), pedestrians (20), van passengers (seven), lorry passengers (six), others (six) and cyclists (five), he told a news conference at Bukit Aman yesterday.
Ismail said most of the accidents occurred between 2pm and 6pm and between 8pm and 10pm while dead victims mostly aged between 16 and 25 and 61 years and above.
He said the highest number of deaths occurred on federal roads followed by state roads, municipal roads, highways and other roads.
A study conducted by Bukit Aman inferred that 85 per cent of the accidents were caused by motorist and road user behaviour, he said, adding that other factors were carelessly crossing the road, skidding, negligence while pulling
out of junction and tailgating.
– Bernama