KUALA LUMPUR: The Transport Ministry has announced a ban on goods vehicles using roads in the country on Feb 17, 18, 21 and 22 to reduce traffic congestion during the Chinese New Year period.
Chinese New Year falls on Feb 19 and 20, which are public holidays, and these vehicles will be also off the roads then.
The announcement on Thursday was made by Transport Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai who said the reduced traffic congestion would provide for a more comfortable drive for people returning to their hometowns to celebrate the festival or go on holidays, and lessen the risk of road accidents.
In addition, the speed limit for federal roads is reduced from 90kph to 80kph, while for state roads the limit is reduced from 80kph to 70kph, beginning immediately until Feb 26, he told reporters.
He disclosed this after launching the national-level road safety campaign in conjunction with the Chinese New Year at the Terminal Bersepadu Selatan (TBS) or Southern Intergrated Terminal, Bandar Tasik Selatan, here.
Liow said the "Integrated Operations on Road Safety Enforcement" beginning today until Feb 27 would involve more than 3,000 enforcement officers and personnel.
He said the operations involved the police, Road Transport Department (JPJ), the Fire and Rescue Department, and the Land Public Transport Commission.
Liow said the JPJ enforcement would emphasise on urine tests on bus drivers together with the National Anti-Drugs Agency at 30 bus terminals nationwide from 8am until midnight throughout the duration of the operation.
"Other operations to be carried out include deploying personnel at static locations for every 30 kilometres of the major state roads throughout the country on a 24-hour, 16-hour and eight-hour basis, according to the suitability of the location.
"The operations include random checks, masquerades, motorcycle enforcement and controlling the activities of ticket touts," he said.
Each year, the Road Safety Campaign is carried out to create awareness and educate road users to give greater emphasis on personal and family safety as well as the safety of other road users.
