KUALA LUMPUR: OVERMORE than 1,500 motorists were caught red-handed by police for using emergency lanes in highways nationwide since Op Selamat 5 was launched on July 21.
Most of the offenders were caught in the act by policemen armed with cameras, while 20 per cent were stopped and issued summonses on the spot.
Federal traffic police chief Senior Assistant Commissioner Mohd Fuad Abd Latiff said those captured on camera for using emergency lanes should expect to receive their summonses, which carry a maximum fine of RM300, by the end of next week.
He said they would face the same consequences if they continued to commit such offences.
“After the announcement by police that motorists who use the lane would be issued a maximum fine of RM300, we received numerous reports that some drivers continued to commit the offence.
“As stopping and issuing summonses in highways might worsen traffic jams during the festive season, we equipped our personnel with cameras to take pictures of these offenders while they were committing the offence,” he told the New Straits Times yesterday.
He said the strict enforcement was necessary as many emergency services vehicles were hindered or delayed from reaching accident locations because of the problem.
As of the 10th day of Op Selamat 5 on Thursday, there were 14,109 road accidents recorded.
This included 169 fatal accidents, which saw 186 people killed.
He said police had issued 153,125 summonses.
The Road Transport Department (RTD) had begun collecting photos of alleged emergency lane users submitted by the public.
As of yesterday, RTD had published at least 15 pictures of the alleged offenders’ vehicles on its Facebook page, and urged motorists to send similar evidence in the future.
Those who wish to forward such evidence can email RTD at aduantrafik@jpj.gov.my, with details of the incident date, time and location, as well as the complainant’s details.