Break the rules, pay the price

PETALING JAYA: There will be no discount or exemption for compounds issued for offences under the Automated Enforcement System (AES) from now on.

Transport Minister Anthony Loke (pic) says those issued AES compounds have 60 days to settle the RM300 fine, adding offenders will also earn demerit points.

A traffic offender who reaches the first 20 demerit points will be issued a warning, and for the next 20 points, one’s licence may be suspended or revoked.

Probationary drivers will have their licence cancelled once they accumulate 20 or more demerit points.

“Offenders who do not clear their compound payments will be charged in court. If they fail to show up, they will be blacklisted from engaging in any transaction involving the Road Transport Department (JPJ) until the case is cleared.

“These include getting a road tax, and obtaining or renewing driving licence,” Loke said in a statement yesterday.

The minister’s statement follows the taking over of the Automated Awareness Safety System (AWAS) by JPJ from Sept 1.

The AES, combined with the demerit point system (Kejara), is known as AWAS.

On Aug 18, Loke announced that more than 3.1 million unpaid AES summonses would be cancelled and that JPJ would take over the full operation of AES.

He said the takeover by JPJ would cover the enforcement operation of 45 AWAS cameras, 29 of which were for monitoring speed limit offences and 16 for traffic light infringement.

At every camera location, three signboards will be installed to inform motorists that they are 1km, 2km and 3km away from the speed camera.

For traffic light offences, three signboards will be installed 50m to 1km away from the camera location.

“I want to stress that the main reason for the installation and enforcement of AWAS cameras is to educate and protect drivers, especially when they drive in the operational zones,” Loke said.

The list of AWAS camera locations can be accessed at www.jpj.gov.my.