Make AI a part of traffic monitoring, say safety experts

PETALING JAYA: Digital enforcement by the Road Transport Department (JPJ) can help improve transparency in monitoring road safety, especially involving the inspection of commercial vehicles, says Road Safety Marshal Club president K. Bala.

He said the monitoring process can be done using artificial intelligence (AI) to ensure companies undergo regular maintenance of their commercial vehicles, at least every six months.

“This will make all parties, particularly the company and its driver, become more responsible, and will curb bribery or internal misconduct,” he said in an interview.

Alliance for a Safe Community chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye said using the latest technology could help increase efficiency in dealing with road safety issues and ensure traffic discipline.

With AI, enforcement against offences such as speeding can be carried out more effectively, especially in cases involving heavy vehicles, he said.

“With the current Automated Enforcement System, road users can be notified on the location of the cameras and only slow down when approaching the camera.”

He added that the efficiency of such speed cameras does not prevent speeding, which results in accidents.

On Friday, JPJ director-general Datuk Aedy Fadly Ramli said JPJ will enhance its digital enforcement efforts and explore the application of AI technology to improve the detection of traffic offenders and aim to strengthen enforcement against violations that pose a high risk of accidents and fatalities on the road.

He said enforcement officers will also increase their checks at key locations, especially along highways and areas with high accident rates.