KUALA LUMPUR, 19 April 2020:
The Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) has formed a ‘jam squad’ to monitor traffic congestion at roadblocks in the Klang Valley during the Movement Control Order (MCO) period.
Bukit Aman Traffic Investigation and Enforcement Department director Datuk Azisman Alias said the motorcycle squad will comprise 20 police personnel who will monitor the traffic congestion at all the roadblocks.
He said this will help the police respond quickly to the public whenever there is traffic congestion. “This will allow the police to monitor and disperse traffic at congested roadblocks.
“At the same time, drones will also be used to monitor the congested locations and open up special lanes for essential services vehicles such as health workers,” he said at a special press conference held at Bukit Aman here today.
About 70% of motorists on the road during the MCO period comprise those who work in the essential services sector and they possess the approval letter from the National Security Council.
Azisman said though 25% of them were going out for shopping, they were still complying with the MCO – including by following the one person per car MCO ruling.
“Those who want to buy essential items are advised to go during the non-peak hours to avoid getting caught in traffic jams and to make way for those working in the essential services sector.”
Azisman said police were conducting a thorough check at each roadblock to ensure compliance of the MCO and that the people would not leave their homes without a valid reason.
“I call on the public to comply with the MCO and don’t act selfishly when at the roadblocks. Police have also put up signage or notices about 500m to 1km from the location where a roadblock is being mounted to facilitate and alert road users.”
Azisman said the traffic congestion was caused by a small number of people who are not in the essential service category who go out during peak hours during the MCO period, especially in the Klang Valley.
He said these were usually during two peak periods between 7am and 1pm, and between 4pm and 9pm.
“We have identified the locations in four states which experience congestion of more than one kilometre, comprising 16 places in Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, Melaka and Johor.
“The excuses given include going out to buy essential items. So, we want to advise people who are not part of the essential services to go out during the non-peak periods to do their shopping so as to allow those in the essential services to operate without going through the congestion.”
Azisman said the congestion was also caused by the increase in the number of vehicles in the additional sectors announced by the government recently.
“At the same time, I advise commercial vehicles such as lorries to change their delivery hours to non-peak periods such as at night, so as to avoid congestion.”
The number of road accidents has dropped by almost 70% nationwide since the implementation of the first and second phase of the MCO came into force on March 18.
Azisman said police recorded 10,382 accidents from March 18 to April 14 and of the total, 130 of them involved 145 deaths.
“An average of 370 accidents were recorded daily during the first and second phase of the MCO. The trend shows a decline of almost 70%.
“Prior to the MCO, police recorded 1,500 cases daily with 16 to 17 deaths. With the enforcement of MCO, the current trend of fatalities dropped between four and five cases daily.”
Azisman said motorcyclists comprised 80% of the total fatal accident cases.
On police preparations for the upcoming Ramadan, he said they were in the midst of finalising enforcement plans, adding that however, it would be dependent on further government announcements and policies on the MCO.
“For us, fewer vehicles on the road, the better and when the government announced the cancellation of the Ramadan bazaar, it was a good move. Otherwise, we would not be able to break the Covid-19 chain as well as reduce traffic congestion.”
Meanwhile, the use of drones by the authorities during the third phase of the MCO has proven to be effective in giving announcements and alerts to the public to comply with the directive to curb the spread of Covid-19.
The drones were introduced in the first phase of the MCO and the technology was extensively used by PDRM and Malaysian Armed Forces (ATM) to convey information as well as monitor the movement of the people.
The drones are equipped with loudspeakers to make announcements in three languages namely Malay, Chinese and Tamil, for the public to stay at home.
The main areas where drones have been deployed are Covid-19 hotspots and Enhanced Movement Control Order (EMCO) areas including Simpang Renggam in Kluang, Johor; Sungai Lui in Hulu Langat, Selangor and around Masjid India here.
Without disclosing the number of drones being used, Armed Forces Chief Gen Tan Sri Affendi Buang said ATM will continue using drones – especially to ensure people comply with the MCO fully.
Head of Drone Unit of the Air Operation Team, superintendent Rasha Azaldin Shafii said the use of this technology has achieved its objective especially in terms of giving announcements and alerts.
PDRM was tasked to take lead and coordinate the drone operations for ATM and other private agencies, he added.
“The number of existing drones is maintained during the third phase of the MCO, focusing on marketplaces, residential areas, and villages nationwide.”
Rasha Azaidin said the drones will also capture pictures and videos at the MCO assigned locations to assist police personnel from district police headquarters and contingent to plan their enforcement tasks.
– Bernama