Speed Traps Go Up To Save Lives
By Azlan Othman

Bandar Seri Begawan – To curb the recent spate of fatal accidents, the police will be conducting speed traps to catch errant drivers.

Citing the recent tragedy along the Muara-Tutong highway and Lumut bypass, Snr Supt Hj Rahim Hj Md Noor, Acting Director of Road Traffic and Investigation Department said yesterday that the cause of accidents were due to the fault of drivers themselves. Factors like the road condition and the absence of speed limit were not the reasons leading to such accidents, he added.

Five died in a tragic road crash involving two cars along the Tutong highway near Kg Penanjong three weeks ago, on November 27. In another accident at Jalan Sg Paku in Telisai, a father and his baby were killed while eight more were admitted to the hospital when two saloon cars collided on December 12. AFrenchman was also killed in an accident along the Lumut bypass on November 19.

Snr Supt Hj Rahim said that while there was an increase in the number of road accidents during the current wet season, "it is not drastic".

"As a precautionary step, we will hold a roadshow and briefing for schools and villages with the assistance of the police's public relations office," lie added.

Meanwhile, Acting plead of Police Public Relations, DSP Pg Mohd Roslin bin Pg I-Ij Bakar said reports were received on a number of cases of cars, and items inside cars, being stolen from Bruneians across the border during the holiday season.

"Last year, police personnel from the Criminal Investigation Department conducted a visit to Sabah and Sarawak to discuss the matter of Brunei cars reported stolen there. Several agreements were made, such as exchanging information on car thefts. As a result, speedy recovery of stolen cars have been made possible.

"To my understanding, a special unit has been set up in Sabah and Sarawak to monitor cases of Brunei cars reported stolen. Also, the Brunei police gives a monthly feedback to their Malaysian counterparts of any such cases," he added.

DSP Pg Mohd Roslin reminded drivers crossing the border to be alert and to not carry excessive jewelleries as it could invite extortion. He also reminded them not to park their cars in secluded areas, expose valuable items inside the car and to read safety procedures at hotels in the event of an emergency.

He urged the public to look out for an emergency exit when entering entertainment centres, not to exchange money alone and to choose a safe moneychanger. Mobile phones should always be charged in the case of an emergency and travellers should have the contact numbers of the Brunei Consulates, High Commissions and Embassies abroad, he added.

DSP Pg Mohd Roslin said during the festive Christmas and New Year holidays, the police will continuously hold spot checks and raids in their fight against crime. Joint operations and roadblocks will also be carried-out.

The police requested the public's assistance to call their hotline, 993, should they come across any undesirable activities against the country's laws. -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

Click Here To Have Your Say On This Story

Brudirect.com News

Brunei's Fastest Growing Website with