KUALA LUMPUR (July 26): Road accident hotspots nationwide have dropped to 146 this year from 183 last year, according to Road Transport Department (RTD) director general Datuk Ismail Ahmad.

He said the locations included KM12 to KM70 in Kuala Lipis towards Merapoh, KM14 to KM15 in Kuala Lumpur towards Ipoh and KM4 to KM13 in Johor Baharu towards Air Hitam.

"Of the 146 areas, 72 are under the jurisdiction of the RTD while 74, under the police," he told a media conference at the Puchong south toll plaza near here last night.

Earlier, he joined the pre Aidilfitri integrated operation involving the NRD, Royal Malaysian Police, Land Public Transport Commission, Environment Department and Puspakom Sdn Bhd at the toll plaza.

Ismail said the pre operation would be conducted until July 31, followed by the nationwide integrated operation from Aug 1 until Aug 18.