BENTONG: Using handphones while driving, overloading commercial vehicles, and failure to fasten safety belts are among the 21 new offences that will be added to the Demerit Points System (Kejara) under the Automated Awareness Safety System (AWAS) by year-end.
Transport Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said currently only motorist caught speeding on the AES (Automated Enforcement System) and running the red lights that will be slapped with demerit points with every offence committed.
“We are in the midst of upgrading the Road Transport Department (RTD) system for this purpose and hope that it can be fully implemented by the end of the year,” he told reporters this after launching the 19th Yamaha Balik Kampung Road Safety Campaign here today.
The AWAS and Kejara went into effect on April 15, after a two-week trial, in a bid to catch habitual traffic offenders in the act.
Under the system, road offenders will be slapped with demerit points with every offence committed, and ultimately face having their licences suspended or revoked.
Liow said since April 15 until yesterday, a total of 77,242 summonses were issued under the system.
“From the total, 68,830 summonses were issued for exceeding the speed limit and 8,412 for running the red lights.”
He noted that most summonses issued for speeding were committed at Km375.9 of the North-South Expressway (NSE) near Slim River.
Liow added that the ministry is also looking at giving incentives for law-abiding drivers.
“Maybe by giving them an award or reduce their insurance premium,” he said.
Also present at the safety campaign were RTD director-general Datuk Seri Nadzri Siron, Hong Leong Yamaha Motor Sdn Bhd managing director Datuk Jim Khor and Malaysian Motorcycle and Scooter Dealers Association president Wee Hong.