1.3 mil vehicles to leave KL for CNY holidays

About 1.3 million vehicles are expected to leave the capital as city dwellers head home for the long Chinese New Year (CNY) holiday from tomorrow.

Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) director-general Datuk Salleh Yusup said the DBKL expected traffic congestion at the outskirts of the capital leading north, south and east coast of the peninsular.

Speaking to reporters at the launch of the Federal Territory's Road Safety Campaign in conjunction with the CNY, he urged motorists to plan their travel and drive carefully.

At the event, Salleh handed over automotive tools to 18 motorcyclists and 10 motorists.

Meanwhile, Kuala Lumpur Road Transport Department (JPJ) director Mohd Nadzri Osman said 88 JPJ officers would man four accident hotspots, namely along the Middle Ring Road 2 (in front of the National Zoo), Mile 4 1/2 Jalan Ipoh, and Km 25 Karak Highway (both directions) for two weeks.

In KUCHING, JPJ director-general Datuk Seri Solah Mat Hassan said about 250 JPJ officers would be deployed to accident hotspots and four bus terminals in Sarawak during the Chinese New Year celebration.

He said they would be assisted by National Anti-Drug Agency officers to ensure that bus drivers were alcohol and drug-free for the safety of passengers.

Some JPJ officers disguise as passengers to check on errant bus drivers and summon those who violate traffic rules, he told reporters after checking on JPJ operations at the Kuching Sentral bus terminal today.