Most of the summonses were issued for speeding (240,421), beating the lights (4,375), queue-cutting (3,582), using mobile phone while driving (1,991), overtaking on double lines (1,202) and driving on the hard shoulder/emergency lane (804).

However, the overall accident rate this year was higher by 1% with 15,947 cases compared to 2019’s 15,836 cases. There was no Raya rush in 2020 and 2021 because of Covid-19 lockdowns.

Motorcyclists contributed to most of the fatalities at 108 cases, accounting for 65% of the overall fatalities. A total of 32,136 summonses were issued to motorcyclists.

Inspector-General of Police Acryl Sani Abdullah Sani said the accidents and fatalities could be attributed to higher-than-usual traffic, with five million vehicles on the road during the Raya rush.

He said the general sense of fear of getting caught had been instilled in motorists.

“It is also commendable that motorists have gone out of their way to report others who have flouted the law,” he said in announcing the statistics for Op Selamat 18.

An overall 20,731 vehicles were involved in accidents between April 29 and May 8, of which 160 were fatal, with 166 people killed.

Of the 166 dead, 108 were motorcyclists or pillion riders, 48 were drivers or passengers of cars, 10 pedestrians, and two cyclists.

The highest cited reason for fatal accidents in 65 cases was loss of control of the vehicle.

Federal roads recorded the highest number of deaths at 53, followed by state roads (41), council roads (27), other roads (26) and highways (19).

A total of 194 car drivers and 113 motorcyclists were detained for driving under the influence.

Separately, the police also announced musician Awie, whose real name is Ahmad Azhar Othman, as the winner of the police’s diligent driver (pemandu berhemah) award, followed by Chong Jo Ey and Pragasraj Shanmugam.

No details were given by police on how they were chosen.