AES helps reduce accidents, says Liow

At The Dewan Rakyat

ACCIDENT rates at 14 locations nationwide where the automated enforcement system cameras were installed has dropped by up to 30% in the first eight months since the AES was implemented.

Transport Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said studies conducted by the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (Miros) showed that there were 19 fatal accidents in eight months prior to the AES’ installation at the accident-prone areas.

However, that figure dropped to only 12 after the cameras were installed, he said.

“This means AES has managed to help reduce fatal accidents by 36.84% or seven cases within the period of eight months,” Liow said in a written reply to Hee Loy Sian (PKR- Petaling Jaya Selatan).

Hee had asked how effective the AES was in reducing accidents as well as the summonses issued and cases brought to court since the system was implemented on Sept 23, 2012.

Liow said the Miros studies also found that on average, compliance to speed limits in six locations prior to the implementation of AES was only 63%.

“However, it increased to 91% once the system kicked in,” he said.

He also said that the number of motorists who beat the red lights also fell from 4.3% to 2.2% at four traffic junctions where AES cameras were placed.

International studies, said Liow, showed that the AES could help reduce fatal accidents by between 17% and 71%.

On the amount of fines, Liow said RM51,434,650 had been collected since the AES was implemented to Aug 31 this year. He also said that up to Dec 17, 2012, a total of 10,136 cases were brought to court.