PETALING JAYA: From tomorrow, motorists caught speeding or running a red light will start earning demerit points, with the rollout of the Road Transport Department’s (JPJ) new Kejara system.

Offenders will be given incremen­tal penalties for every 20 points picked up, which range from a warning to having their licences suspended under the new system.

The 14 Automated Enforcement System (AES) traffic surveillance cameras set up nationwide will record errant motorists under the new system, with JPJ to install seven more AES cameras soon. Kejara is being integrated with AES to form the Automated Aware­ness Safety System (Awas).

JPJ director-general Datuk Seri Nadzri Siron said his department has been testing Awas since April 1.

“In the first 12 days of April, our 14 AES cameras detected about 8,500 motorists going over the speed limit and 1,200 beating red lights.”



He said only those recorded committing the offences starting tomorrow will get Kejara demerit points. “We have chosen the two offen­ces for the initial phase of Kejara because these are the biggest contributors to road accidents.

“I advise motorists to be aware that the new system will start soon and not to commit traffic offences,” he said.

Nadzri said for the time being, Kejara will only involve offences recorded by AES cameras.

Road Safety Department director-general Datuk Arifin Che Mat said the demerit point system had pro­ven effective in many other countries, including Britain, Australia and Singapore. “It works to educate motorists and indirectly improve road safety,” said Arifin.

Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research director-general Dr Wong Shaw Voon said Kejara was a fairer way to change motorist behaviour compared to fines. He explained that a RM300 traffic fine has a big effect on a motorist earning RM1,500 a month but means little to someone who earns RM15,000 a month.

“With demerit points, motorists feel the same pinch whether they are rich or poor,” he said.

Dr Wong said fear of having their driving licences suspended was more effective in encouraging motorists to stick to the rules. “What matters is not how many summonses the authorities issue but how effective the system is in getting people to be safe on the roads,” he added.

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