KUCHING: Road accidents in Sarawak dropped by 14.8 per cent during Op Selamat 26 in conjunction with the Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebrations this year, despite a rise in fatalities.
Sarawak police commissioner Datuk Mohamad Zainal Abdullah said a total of 283 road accidents were recorded during the six-day operation from March 19 to 24, compared to 332 cases during Op Selamat 24/2025 — a decrease of 49 cases.
However, he noted that the number of deaths increased to eight this year from five previously, marking a 60 per cent rise, although fatal accident cases remained unchanged at five.
“In terms of fatalities, car users accounted for the highest number with five deaths, followed by motorcyclists (two) and a cyclist (one),” he said in a statement.
He added that most accidents were caused by driver negligence, including speeding that led to loss of control, head-on collisions, careless entry or exit at junctions, and rear-end crashes.
On enforcement, Mohamad Zainal added that police issued 14,723 summonses for various traffic offences during the operation, a sharp increase of 119.5 per cent compared to 6,707 summonses recorded last year.
“The increase was due to the implementation of a “pre-emptive services and total enforcement” approach, which emphasised early preventive measures, increased presence of traffic personnel at identified hotspots, and stricter action against five main traffic offences,” he said.
He said the operation also incorporated strategies such as Op Lancar, omnipresence and show of force, enforcement by objective, as well as public advocacy to promote safe driving practices while ensuring smooth traffic flow.
He urged all road users to continue adhering to traffic regulations and prioritise safety on the roads.
“Always remember the slogan ‘Pandu Cermat, Jiwa Selamat’ and think of your loved ones while on the road,” he said.
