Police examining a heavily modified motorcycle during their operation in Jalan Loke Yew, Kuala Lumpur, last night. (Bernama pic)
KUALA LUMPUR: A total of 372 summonses were issued during a New Year Day special operation conducted by city traffic police early today.
Kuala Lumpur deputy police chief Yahaya Othman said 841 vehicles were inspected after 26 roadblocks were mounted around the federal capital.
“The summonses were for various offences. We also seized 10 motorcycles found to have been heavily modified.
“A total of 619 motorcycles, 171 cars, 19 vans and 32 jeeps were inspected,” he told the media when met at a roadblock at Jalan Loke Yew here early today.
Yahaya said 12 people, aged between 15 and 21, were arrested under Section 42 of the Road Transport Act 1987 for reckless and dangerous driving.
Another four, aged between 23 and 50, were detained under Section 45 for driving or riding under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Nearly 230 personnel were involved in the operation which was carried out to ensure smooth traffic flow during the New Year celebration and to help reduce fatal road accidents.
Meanwhile, in Penang, 475 summonses were issued in a similar operation carried out from 9pm last night.
Penang deputy police chief Fisol Salleh said the operation was focused on crime prevention and inspection of vehicles, especially motorcycles that had been excessively modified.
He said the operation was also to ensure that motorcyclists complied with road safety rules and their vehicles were in good condition, instead of just ensuring that road tax and driving licence were renewed.
“Penang is a state with one of the highest fatal accidents and we are making various efforts to reduce those involving motorcyclists commuting to work.”
Speaking during an inspection at the Penang Bridge motorcycle lane last night, he said Penang police also aimed to eradicate activities by street thugs and illegal racing by Mat Rempit this year.
To this end, police have drawn up several strategies, including carrying out frequent inspections and stricter enforcement of workshops modifying vehicles.