Decision on AES after Raya

PUTRAJAYA: A major decision on the Automated Enforce­ment System (AES) will be announced after the Raya celebrations, said acting Transport Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein.

He said the decision would take into consideration grouses and views from the public and all stakeholders involved in the system.

“We have heard all comments and views. But in making the decision, we must balance between public safety and the grouses.

“The Government knows that the public is unhappy over why a third party is enforcing the system and collecting the fines. We will come out with a fair decision,” he told newsmen after launching the national road safety campaign here yesterday in conjunction with the festive season.

Hishammuddin said the public grouses on the AES had been narrowed down to who was implementing the system and collecting the fines.

“It is now clear that its not about the system,” he added.

The AES captures pictures and video images of cars speeding or jumping the traffic light in targeted areas and based on the data collected, traffic police will then issue summonses to the offenders.

The system began on Sept 23 last year with 14 cameras installed in Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya and Perak. Another 404 cameras would be installed under a roll-out plan scheduled on Sept 22.

Early this year, the Attorney-General’s Chambers froze all court proceedings related to summonses issued under the AES after legal concerns were raised by certain groups.

Hishammuddin pointed out that the AES would continue to operate during the festival.

“I am told that the conventional speed trap by the traffic police would also go on as usual. Hence, I appeal to all road users to obey all traffic signs and observe the speed limits.

“Be patient and expect heavy traffic as we have estimated some 51 million vehicles will be driven on all highways and roads during the celebrations,” he said.

Source From : The Star