Sabah Crime Prevention and Community Safety Department chief SAC Ahmad Fadzillah Mohamed said police aimed to achieve a zero fatality rate during this festive season.

However, based on road accident statistics for the last two years, the target looks difficult to achieve.

Ahmad said there was an 8% decrease in the number of road accidents last year compared to the previous year – from 764 to 706 accidents.

However, the number of fatalities jumped from nine to 24 over the period.

“This increase in fatalities, despite the drop in the number of accidents, shows motorists still take their safety for granted.

“Therefore, for this year’s operation, we will mobilise 355 traffic personnel.”

He said they will also rope in 90 personnel from the Criminal Investigation Department, Narcotics Department, air unit, marine police, Road Transport Department, Sabah Commercial Vehicle Licensing Board, Fire and Rescue Department, civil defence force, road safety department and St John Ambulance.

“We want motorists to take their safety seriously.”

Ahmad said the festive safety operation would also cover homes left vacant by holidaymakers.

He urged those leaving their homes during the Raya season to inform the police of their absence so that officers could patrol their areas to deter burglars.

The public could do so by filling a form downloadable from the police website, obtainable from the nearest police station or through the Voluntary Smartphone Patrol (VSP) mobile app, he said.

Police are also keeping an eye on sea transport ferrying passengers.