Awas traffic system begins

Be careful now: The AES camera placed at the North South Expressway near Bangi. The Awas system is now officially up and running.

PETALING JAYA: Drivers, take note: the Awas system is finally off the ground.

This means traffic offenders caught by the system will face suspension and even revocation of their driving licence.

Awas or Automated Awareness Safety System – an integration of the Automated Enforcement System (AES) cameras and Demerit Points System (Kejara) – started from yesterday. It is aimed at weeding out habitual traffic offenders.

Road Transport Department (JPJ) director-general Datuk Nadzri Siron said the system would only utilise the 14 AES cameras installed nationwide and was aimed at two offences for now – speeding and running the red light.

“This is still the initial stage of the project and we want to focus on advocacy. For now, the system will only include two offences for the Kejara system – speeding and running the red light,” Nazri said when contacted yesterday.

JPJ expects to fully include the other offences by the end of this year, and install more cameras.

Amendments to the Road Transport Act to allow for the implementation of Awas were passed in Parliament last year.

Besides facing a RM150 fine under AES, drivers could have their driving licence suspended under Awas for overtaking at double lines, running the red light, using the emergency lane and speeding.

JPJ has upgraded its computer system to handle Awas.

Under the new system, motorists start with 20 points each and their driving licence will be revoked once all these are deducted.