SEREMBAN: The state Road Transport Department (JPJ) is hoping to acquire another five drones to better manage traffic and catch offenders, says its state director Hanif Yusabra Yusuf.

       He said the state JPJ currently had two drones which were received in January and widely used during the recent Ops Hari Raya Aidilfitri from April 29 to May 8.

       “The drones were deployed along the highways to check on motorists using the emergency lanes while on the federal routes, they were used to check those cutting queues or beating the red light.

       “We’ve issued 30 notices to the offenders caught by drones and they will be required to attend a court hearing as the offences are not compoundable,” he said.

       Once the state JPJ had managed to obtain the other five drones, the use would be more frequent and not limited only to festive periods, added Hanif.

       “Using drones is a better option as it is safer and does not require a lot of manpower.

       “It is also effective as would-be-offenders may decide against violating the rules as there would be this perception of being caught,” Hanif said, adding that officers would be sent to the JPJ Academy for training on operating the drones.

       On another matter, Hanif said queue-cutting and beating the red light were the two major traffic offences committed by motorists in the state during the recent Hari Raya celebration.

       He said of the total 316 notices issued to motorists for main offences during the recent festive operation, 149 were for queue-cutting and another 92 for running the red light.

       “Another 32 notices were issued to motorists for driving on the emergency lane and six more for using their handphones while driving,” he said.

       Offenders issued with the notices, including those caught speeding on the Automatic Awareness Security System (Awas) cameras installed at various locations, would have to attend court, he added.

       “The maximum fine for each offence under the Road Transport Act is RM2,000 and it will be up to the court to decide on the penalties,” he said, adding that these offences were not compoundable if committed during the festive period.

       Hanif said 20 motorists were also issued compounds for overloading and 12 more for overtaking along the double line.

       JPJ officers, he said, had gone undercover on 18 express buses, during which two drivers were fined for using handphones while driving and another for tailgating.

       Hanif said his officers also inspected 2,010 vehicles during the exercise, with the owners of 610 vehicles found to have committed 1,108 offences, including not having a valid licence (277), no road tax and insurance (284), technical violations (153) and others (78).