KUALA LUMPUR: The Automated Awareness Safety System (Awas), designed to enhance road safety by reducing traffic violations, incurs an RM15,491,876.58 annual maintenance cost, the Dewan Rakyat was told.
This includes services and maintenance of cameras, back-office systems and the printing of summonses, said the Transport Ministry in a Parliamentary reply to Mohd Hasnizan Harun (PN-Hulu Selangor).
A Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (Miros) study from 2014 to 2018 showed that the installation of AwAS cameras has significantly increased compliance, with the Perception of Being Caught (POBC) reaching up to 99% at enforced locations.
"This suggests that the presence of these cameras has a substantial impact on driver behaviour at specific sites where they are installed," the ministry said.
While the system has proven effective at these locations, the ministry said the overall impact on reducing traffic violations on a broader scale remains a point of discussion.
"The ministry continues to evaluate the system's efficacy and explore ways to enhance its reach and effectiveness across the country."
The Automated Enforcement System (AES) in Malaysia, now integrated into AwAS, was introduced to address the high incidence of road traffic violations and improve road safety.
Initially launched in 2012, AES employs cameras to monitor traffic offences such as speeding and running a red light.
Despite facing criticism and challenges during its early implementation, including public resistance and debates over privacy concerns, AES has been credited with improving compliance in areas where it is operated.
