PETALING JAYA: A new, upgraded Automated Awareness Safety System (Awas) speed camera is set to replace existing models on highways, sparking debate among road safety experts.
While some support the move to place “invisible cameras” on poles along roads and highways, others argue that this could undermine road safety.
The new Awas cameras, projected for 45 locations, are set within slim, black poles and are less noticeable than the older poles to be replaced, which stand out in white with a bulky case housing the camera.
Assoc Prof Dr Law Teik Hua of Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) Road Safety Research Centre said the primary purpose of the cameras is to alert drivers to high-risk areas and encouraging them to slow down.
As such, Law said visibility of the cameras is crucial as it has a direct influence on a driver’s behaviour on the road.
“This behaviour undermines the intended safety benefits of speed enforcement. When such cameras are not clearly visible, their effectiveness in deterring speeding diminishes significantly.”
He suggested that the demerit system for traffic offences (Kejara) be enforced and integrated with the use of more visible speed cameras.
Law said to enhance overall road safety, it is essential to ensure that speed enforcement systems are both noticeable and widespread with many cameras installed.
Road Safety Experts Association and Safety Driving Centre adviser Datuk Suret Singh said it is common for motorists to slow down after being alerted by satellite navigation applications on their smartphones of approaching speed cameras.
He said the objective of getting motorists to slow down could be achieved by having at least three warning signboards about 3km apart before a speed camera zone.
Criminologist Datuk Dr P. Sundramoorthy of Universiti Sains Malaysia’s (USM) Centre for Policy Research said some might argue that the new and less-visible Awas cameras could improve road safety when motorists become overcautious and slow down, with them being unsure of where the speed cameras are located.
However, he said: “If road users are unaware of the presence of speed cameras, their efficacy in altering driving behaviour might be diminished.
“Transparency about enforcement locations often helps drivers adhere to traffic rules.”
He added that while Awas could improve enforcement, road users should also be aware of the purpose of speed cameras and the importance of observing road safety which could lead to achieving better compliance with the rules.
Selangor Malaysian Crime Prevention Foundation (MCPF) secretary Datuk Muhammad Fuad Talib felt that speed cameras inconspicuously mounted along roads would prompt motorists to adhere to speed limits at all times “and not just slow down at locations known to have such devices”.
“I think it is good if it is concealed so that motorists will be alert at all times and work as a deterrent although the location of the devices will be uncovered at some point.
“Technology is advancing rapidly and some day this system will be overtaken by a new one that uses satellites to spot speedsters,” said the former Terengganu deputy police chief and ex-Subang Jaya OCPD.
On Thursday, Road Transport Department (JPJ) director-general Aedy Fadly Ramli said upgraded Awas cameras would replace existing ones in phases at gazetted locations to step up enforcement on speeding and beating traffic lights.
He said the replacement involves Redflex model cameras enhanced with an automated number plate recognition (ANPR) technology.
Aedy added that the existing cameras are being replaced due to damage and absence of technical support from the manufacturer.
The new Awas cameras are said to be far more efficient and has wider capabilities in its surveillance feature, producing high-resolution images.
Transport Minister Anthony Loke said 556,055 speeding notices were issued to motorists last year after their vehicles were captured on camera by the Awas system nationwide.
He said about a fifth of the notices were issued for speeding near Behrang at the KM382.8 south-bound stretch of the North-South Expressway.
The latest upgrade of the Awas also did not go down well with many netizens who took to social media to vent their frustration, saying the authorities were more interested in “punishing and raising revenue” rather than improving road safety.
