KUALA LUMPUR – If you think that no one is watching as you drive into the emergency lane of the highway, think again. You may be wrong this time.
The motorists who challenge the authorities by violating traffic rules are being monitored and captured by the Drone Unit of the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM).
The Deputy Director I of the Bukit Aman Traffic Investigation and Enforcement Department (JSPT), Deputy Commissioner Datuk Mohd Nadzri Hussain went to the field yesterday evening at Kilometre 365.8 of the PLUS Expressway (North Bound) for the traffic surveillance on emergency lane offenders using the drones from the Air Operation Team (PGU).
“The Bravo Team Drone Unit handled by Inspected Faiz and two other officers recorded aerial videos to identify vehicles using the emergency lane without reasonable reason.
Vehicles detected entering the emergency lane of the North South Expressway near Tapah was captured by the PDRM Drone. The driver was detained by the police and issued an immediate fine of RM300 yesterday.
PIX: Courtesy of the Traffic Investigation and Enforcement Department (JSPT), PDRM.
Kenderaan yang dikesan memasuki lorong kecemasan di lebuhraya utara selatan berhampiran Tapah berjaya dicekup Dron PDRM sebelum pemandu berkenaan ditahan polis dan disaman serta merta berjumlah RM300 semalam. Ihsan PDRM
“As a result, the vehicles which committed the offence of driving on emergency lane were captured in the field and RM300 fines were issued to them immediately,” he said in a statement last night.
Nadzri added, although there were some traffic violations, it was minimum because the drivers are aware and afraid to be fined by the police, besides having their pictures and videos recorded.
At the same time, he also praised majority of the motorists for being patient despite having to brace through the traffic congestion due to the increase of traffic flow since last Friday (29 April) for the Hari Raya holidays.
Therefore, he said, the JSPT will be assisted by the Drone Unit of PGU throughout Op Selamat 18 to monitor traffic flow and do traffic offence enforcement until 9 May, in conjunction with the Aidilfitri celebration.
Besides entering the emergency lane, the drones will also be surveilling for vehicles that perform illegal overtakes and running the red light, encompassing three main sectors in the north, south and east.
Yesterday, the PGU flew the drones at three locations namely, the Gombak Toll Plaza in Selangor, Slim River in Perak and Pagoh in Johor to capture the pictures of vehicles which violated the three main offences.
The drones are controlled from the land and are able to capture traffic offences with 360 degrees view.
PIX: JSPT PDRM.
Unit dron yang diterbangkan akan dikawal dari darat yang berupaya mencerap gambar kenderaan bersalah pada 360 darjah. Ihsan JSPT PDRM
The pictures of the offenders will be captured using high-definition camera. The drones have 360-degree view angle and can fly at the height of 1,500 feet with the speed of 70 kilometres per hour.
The pictures would then be processed for system check at the Bukit Aman before the notice of the offence is sent out to the owner of the vehicle.
Besides camera, the drones are also equipped with loudspeaker to make announcements and have flight time of up to 3 hours each flight.
He also urged the motorists to obey all rules to ensure smooth journey back to their hometowns.
“We know that everyone wants to go back to their hometown and last Saturday, close to 5.5 million vehicles were recorded on the road, which exceeded our projection of 5 million vehicles daily.
“Besides that, the number of vehicles also increased as the people wished to enjoy the toll waiver given by the government.
“However, the people are urged to drive carefully and considerately, without being selfish, so that everyone can reach home safely,” he said. -MalaysiaGazette
