Drones used to nab lane-dodgers

The Star

a day ago

Modern solutions: Police carrying out a traffic operation along the Federal Highway, using drones to detect motorcyclists that refuse to use their designated lanes. — AZLINA ABDULLAH/The Star
PETALING JAYA: Police have added drones to their arsenal in their bid to nab errant two-wheelers that refuse to use motorcycles lanes along the Federal Highway.
Motorcycles have a designated lane but many riders break the rule and weave in and out of traffic on the main highway, leading to accidents.
Petaling Jaya OCPD Asst Comm Shahrulnizam Ja'afar said the operation, which was conducted along KM28.4 of the highway yesterday, focused on reducing the number of accidents involving motorcyclists along the Federal Highway.
'We are cooperating with the Police Air Unit (PGU) for the operation by using drones.
'Once the offender is spotted via the drone, they will be issued summonses on the spot.
'For the few exceptions that might have escaped, we would have already recorded their registration numbers and summonses will be sent to their homes,' he told reporters during the operation here yesterday.
He urged motorcycle riders to utilize the designated lanes along the highway to lessen the risk of being involved in accidents and other hazards.
'I understand that riders do not prefer to use the motorcycle lanes as they could be dark at night. When it rains, such areas might also be flooded.
'Thus, our operation is conducted during peak hours during the day, especially in the ­morning,' he said after 47 summonses were issued for various offences.
'Some 16 offences were detec­ted using drones, and within 30 minutes, 32 summonses were issued during the operation,' he said.
'Most of the summonses were issued to riders not using the designated motorcycle lanes under Section 79(2) of the Road Transport Act 1987,' Asst Comm Shahrulnizam added.
The operation was not solely focused on enforcement as his team also wanted to raise awareness among road users, especially motorcyclists, on the importance of adhering to traffic regulations.
'We are focusing on motorcycle riders as 70% of fatal accidents on the district involve them.
'We will continue to conduct such operations using drones from time to time,' he said.
Asst Comm Shahrulnizam said the number of traffic accidents in the district has increased by 53 cases so far this year.
A total of 204 cases were recorded between January and May, compared to 151 cases during the same period last year, or an increase of 35.1%
In terms of fatalities, the highest number came from motorcyclists, with 52 deaths recorded last year.
'As of May, 34 deaths involving motorcyclist have been recorded, with accidents involving motorcycles riders typically occurring between 6am and 8am daily,' he said.
'Among the main factors for the accidents are driving too closely to the vehicle in front, failure to control the vehicle until swerving off road, as well as fatigue and sleepiness.
'We advise road users to always drive safely to reduce the number of accidents,' he added.