KUCHING: The public is reminded to prioritise road safety and take precautionary measures before leaving their homes during the Hari Raya Aidilfitri festive season.
Kuching District Police Chief, ACP Alexson Naga Chabu, advised road users to plan their journeys in advance and to have a substitute driver if travelling long distances.
He said drivers are also reminded not to use mobile phones while driving, to adhere to speed limits, and to avoid tailgating the vehicle in front.
“Road users are also reminded not to overtake on double lines, not to run red lights, and to always wear seat belts to reduce the risk of injury.
“For motorcyclists, wearing helmets is mandatory as head injuries are among the leading causes of death. Do not drive under the influence of alcohol,” he said.
He said this during a press conference held in conjunction with the Road Safety Advocacy Programme under ‘Ops Selamat’ for the Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebration at the PETROAS Darul Hana Petrol Station, Jalan Tun Datuk Patinggi Abang Muhammad Salahuddin, Petra Jaya.
Meanwhile, he also advised the public to ensure home safety before going on holiday by locking all doors and windows, and installing automatic lighting.
He said the public is encouraged to install closed-circuit television (CCTV) systems, avoid sharing holiday locations on social media, and inform neighbours and the police.
The surrounding area of the house should be kept clean to prevent it from becoming a hiding place for criminals, and newspaper subscriptions should be temporarily stopped so that the house does not appear unoccupied.
He also reminded the public not to play with firecrackers and fireworks after midnight, as it is an offence under Section 7 of the Explosives Act 1957. He said offenders may face imprisonment of up to seven years, a fine of RM10,000, or both.
