Transport Minister Anthony Loke has announced a new speed monitoring system aimed at improving road safety and enforcing speed limits more effectively.
Photo via Motorist Malaysia
Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday, 7 January, Loke introduced the Automated Awareness Safety System (AWAS), which will replace static speed traps. The system tracks vehicles' average speeds between two checkpoints, encouraging drivers to maintain consistent, safe speeds throughout their journey rather than slowing down only at specific points.
“We want to prevent drivers from merely slowing down in front of the cameras. Instead, they should maintain reduced speeds over a specific distance,” Loke explained. He added that the system calculates the time taken to travel between two points.
If a vehicle completes the journey faster than expected, it indicates speeding, and penalties will be imposed.
The initiative will first be implemented in high-risk areas, including the Kuala Lumpur-Karak Expressway and the Menora Tunnel between Kuala Kangsar and Ipoh. These routes are known for their hilly terrain, where drivers often speed downhill, increasing the risk of accidents.
In addition to AWAS, the ministry plans to introduce a High-Speed Weigh-In-Motion (HS-WIM) camera system by September this year to address the issue of overloaded vehicles. Loke stated that ten HS-WIM cameras will be installed in accident-prone areas with heavy traffic, with the system expected to be fully operational by the third quarter of 2025.
MOT kini sedang giat melaksanakan sistem High Speed - Weigh in Motion (HS-WIM) yang bakal beroperasi pada suku ketiga tahun 2025. Sistem ini akan dipasang di kawasan hotspot seperti lokasi kemalangan berisiko tinggi dan aliran trafik padat. Usaha ini bertujuan memastikan keselamatan jalan raya untuk semua. Komitmen kami, keselamatan anda.
Posted by Anthony Loke Siew Fook on Monday 6 January 2025
With these measures, the Transport Ministry is taking a significant step towards creating safer roads and encouraging better driving habits across Malaysia.