58 deaths in four days of Op Selamat 19

KUALA LUMPUR: A total of 52 fatal road accidents involving 58 deaths were recorded nationwide in the first four days of Op Selamat 19 conducted in conjunction with the Chinese New Year celebration.

Bukit Aman Traffic Investigation and Enforcement Department deputy director DCP Mohd Nasri Omar said 38 fatalities involved motorcyclists and pillion riders, car drivers and passengers (14), lorry drivers and passengers (three), pedestrians (two), and a jeep driver.

"Some 33 people were seriously injured while 250 others escaped with minor injuries," he said in a statement last night.

According to Mohd Nasri, a total of 7,180 accidents involving 9,198 vehicles were recorded over the past four days of the operation, with 9,653 summonses issued over six major offences.

Of the total summonses, 3,250 were issued for beating the traffic lights, driving exceeding the speed limit (2,785) and using a mobile phone while driving (1,316).

"In addition, 1,183 summonses were issued for queue jumping, overtaking on double lines (692) and using emergency lanes (427)," he said while advising road users to be alert while driving to avoid the risk of accidents.

The 10-day Op Selamat 19 will run simultaneously nationwide from Jan 18 to 27.

-- BERNAMA