Perak Police To Intensify Monitoring At 74 High-risk Locations During Op Selamat 25

TELUK INTAN, Feb 13 (Bernama) -- Perak police will intensify monitoring at 42 hotspots and 32 blackspots to minimise road accidents and ensure smooth traffic flow during Op Selamat 25, held in conjunction with next week's Chinese New Year celebrations.

Perak Deputy Police Chief DCP Mohammad Azlin Sadari said several key hotspots, including Jalan Kuala Kangsar (Ipoh-Butterworth), Jalan Sultan Iskandar Shah (city center), Jalan Kamunting-Batu Kurau, the Bidor town traffic lights, and the Hutan Melintang Simpang Empat intersection have been identified.

Identified blackspots (accident-prone areas) include Jalan Keramat Pulai (Ipoh-Cameron Highlands), the Simpang Felda Sungai Behrang, and Jalan Pusing-Batu Gajah near SK Convent.

"Six specific traffic offences have been identified as primary contributors to road accidents, including speeding and driving in the emergency lane. Other offences such as overtaking on double lines, queue jumping, running red lights, and using communication devices while driving also contribute significantly during festive seasons," he said.

Speaking at a press conference following the launch of the 2026 Chinese New Year Road Safety Awareness Campaign at the West Coast Expressway (WCE) Teluk Intan Toll Plaza, Mohammad Azlin noted that 555 officers and personnel will be deployed for the five-day operation starting this Sunday.

WCE Chief Executive Officer Lyndon Alfred Felix, who was also in attendance, projected a daily traffic surge of approximately 160,000 vehicles - a 35 percent increase compared to the previous year.

This significant spike is attributed to the school holidays coinciding with the festive season, as well as the expected start of the first week of Ramadan, which falls at the same time as Chinese New Year.

In view of the surge in traffic flow, WCE has taken a number of proactive measures including allocating spare lanes that will be activated at major toll plazas including Hutan Melintang, Teluk Intan, Lekir, and Taiping Selatan.

In addition, the Traffic Control Centre will operate around the clock with 20 traffic officers and 60 patrol personnel while staff placement will also be increased with 230 toll attendants stationed daily across 14 toll plazas which is a 25 percent icrease in manpower to ensure smooth transactions and reduce congestion.

--BERNAMA