Here’s how the police are using drones to catch traffic violators on PLUS highway

If you’re driving interstate during the festive season, take note that the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) has additional eyes in the sky to catch traffic violators. In conjunction with Ops Selamat 18, the police have deployed drones to identify road users who violate traffic rules.

From the shared video by the PDRM Drone Unit, they are using DJI Matrice 300 RTK drones at selected slow traffic locations to catch vehicles that use the emergency lane illegally. As we’ve covered previously, these drones typically cost USD 13,200 (about RM57,466) excluding the additional options such as the ZenMuse camera which costs an extra USD 11,300 (about RM49,195).

With the additional air surveillance, PDRM’s Traffic Enforcement and Investigation Department are able to get photographic and video evidence, and violators are issued a summon of RM300 on the spot. The featured clips were recorded along PLUS highway specifically at KM 365.8 northbound. Since the drones are mobile, they can be redeployed at strategic spots.

According to Deputy Inspector-General of Police Datuk Razarudin Husain, there were 28 deaths due to road accidents reported on the first day of Hari Raya Aidilfitri. This includes 19 deaths involving motorcycles, 6 involving cars, two involving pedestrians, and one jeep driver. Up to 2nd May, 76 have died in road accidents since Ops Selamat 18 was launched on 29th April 2022. Selangor recorded the most fatalities with 10 deaths, followed by Pahang with 9 and Kelantan with 8.

Datuk Razarudin also added that 211,235 traffic summons have been issued which include 81,753 summons for speeding.

Besides using their own footage, the police are also looking into viral videos of traffic violations on social media. In January this year, they even started featuring viral videos on their Facebook page as well.

Meanwhile, the Road Transport Department (JPJ) is using GoPro Max 360 cameras to record traffic offences by road users during the Aidilfitri festive season. A total of 128 units will be deployed and it will be used to detect traffic offenders including users who are not wearing safety helmets or seat belts, over-taking at double lines, violating traffic lights, using mobile phones while driving and over-loading commercial vehicles. Based on the recording, the vehicle owners will be called for questioning before action is taken against them.

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