Wednesday August 1, 2012

AES to nab traffic offenders

KUALA LUMPUR: The traffic enforcement using cameras to catch motorists and motorcyclists for speeding and running red lights will begin on Aug 12.

Deputy Transport Minister Datuk Abdul Rahim Bakri said the Automated Enforcement System (AES) which uses cameras would be used during the festive period to curb the two main offences.

“Last year, there were 6,877 traffic fatalities and 60% were motorcyclists.

“From January to May this year, 2,779 fatalities involving motorcyclists were recorded. In the same period last year, there were 2,840 fatalities,” Abdul Rahim said after launching the Yamaha 14th Balik Kampung Road Safety Campaign at the Sungai Besi toll plaza here.

Getting ahead with safety: Yamaha counter sales clerk Hasmunaliza Hassan showing the safe way to ride on the road after the launch of the Yamaha Balik Kampung Road Safety Campaign.

Urging motorcyclists to obey traffic laws, Abdul Rahim said most accidents were caused by human factor.

“The AES is a new enforcement mechanism to increase the perception of being caught. People have become unafraid of enforcement.

He said watching over 22 million vehicles was too large a task for the 4,000 Road Transport Department officers, in addition to 20,000 traffic police officers.

“We want to increase the efficiency of enforcement to 80% or 90% with the AES. We can have very good laws but we cannot achieve our target if there is no enforcement.

“This is the progression of technology to increase our efficiency. This is not about collecting summonses. There is no need for enforcement if everybody followed traffic rules,” he added.

Yamaha’s road safety campaign is aimed at motorcyclists and advocates safe riding habits as well as regular maintenance of their vehicles.

The campaign’s theme this year is “Be Seen, Stay Safe” and urges motorcyclists to ensure that they are conspicuous while on the road.

Hong Leong Yamaha Motor managing director C.H. Ng said the campaign would be held at six locations, starting at Sungai Besi.

The campaign, which offers 15-point safety checks on all motorcycles, will be at Duyung Complex, in Semabok, Malacca, today.

This will be followed by Padang Kampung Abdullah in Segamat Johor (Aug 2), Menara Condong in Teluk Intan, Perak (Aug 8), Sony Sports Complex in Seberang Jaya, Penang (Aug 9) and Kedah’s Stadium Darul Aman (Aug 10).

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