LATUK, BOLIH TOLONG........ ?

Ah! This is the time of the year, when our traffic police seems to be increasing their surveillance activities not only along the major highways but more so along less well used road generally underneath "shady trees". Yesterday as I was driving along this major higway that links the East coast to the West coast, I observed that within a distance of 3 kilometers 2 patrol cars each with 2 officers were parked on the opposite side of the road. Both "datuks" were busily performing their sworn duty, on the left hand side of the road, a stern looking officer with his blue summons book in his hand was "pitching" questions to the ever smiling driver whilst further down on the right hand side of the road, in line with the recent courtesy campaign, the other smiling "datuk" obviously very satisified with what had transpired was waving goodbyes to the sullen driver that he had earlier stopped. What is with this Malaysian psyche --- changing our emotions ever so rapidly during such encounters ?

No discount for Ops Sikap summons
Hamidah Atan

PUTRAJAYA, Oct 5:

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It’s the maximum for traffic offenders during Ops Sikap this Hari Raya season — a RM300 fine and there is no chance for appeal. The offences in this category are speeding, queue-jumping, breaking traffic light rules, using the emergency lane and overtaking on the double-line

Transport Minister Datuk Seri Chan Kong Choy said during the integrated operations by the police and Road Transport Department from Oct 27 to Nov 10, enforcement officers would be deployed at tower controls and temporary traffic centres which would be set up along the North-South and East Coast highways.

Chan said this year’s road safety campaign to be held at least two weeks before Hari Raya Aidilfitri was expected to be launched by Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

The themes of the campaign is ‘Use of Public Transport Reduces Accidents’ and ‘Drive Safe, Ride Safe, Walk Safe.’

Chan added that commercial vehicles were banned from using the roads on Oct 29, 30, 31 and on Nov 5 and 6............ The high number of fatal accidents often marred Malaysian festive seasons. Last year, Chan said the number of deaths stood at more than 200, against 300 in 2003..........Over 1.5 million vehicles are expected to be on the road during the festive season.

Chan also called on motorists to take photographs of errant drivers using their camera phones or digital cameras. "I believe through this, they can help the authorities reduce accidents.

"Just forward the evidence to the ministry, the police or the RTD. We will act based on the photographs submitted."