KUALA LUMPUR: With the number of fatal road accidents showing an uptrend following the resumption of interstate travel, Bukit Aman will adopt a “total enforcement stance”.

       Federal Traffic Investigation and Enforcement Department director Comm Datuk Mat Kasim Karim said analysis of the data showed that there had been an increase in the number of accidents and fatalities following each phase transition of the movement control order.

       “Our statistics show that during the first MCO, 5,498 accidents occurred, with 51 of them involving 58 fatalities.

       “During the second MCO, we recorded 4,693 accidents involving 54 fatal accidents and 56 deaths,” he said in an interview yesterday.

       During the third MCO, 6,011 accidents were recorded with 63 fatal accidents involving 65 deaths.

       “During the recovery MCO, there were 102,240 accidents, with 835 fatal accidents involving 907 deaths.

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       “Throughout the Covid-19 Ops beginning March 18, 2020, until Oct 13 this year, there was a total of 566,760 accidents, with 5,412 of these being fatal involving 5,739 deaths,” he added.

       Comm Mat Kasim said last year, there were 4,297 fatal accidents, with the leading cause of these being vehicle skids (2,266 cases), followed by careless entry or exit of junctions (476 cases) and failed attempts to overtake (314 cases).

       “Between January and September this year, 692 fatal accidents were caused by skidding, followed by careless exit or entry of junctions at 410, and other causes at 742,” he said.

       To reduce accidents and fatalities, Comm Mat Kasim said enforcement would be increased.

       “This will be done to ensure motorists abide by traffic regulations and laws,” he said, urging motorists to have more self-control and to follow the standard operating procedure.

       The department, he added, would conduct total enforcement to reduce road accidents and fatalities.

       “Our elements will be deployed to ensure smooth traffic flow, taking into account the increase with the relaxation of rules,” he said, urging all motorists to plan their journey ahead and ensure they were fit to drive.