AWAS Hopefully

Transport minister has instructed the Road Transport Department (JPJ) to synchronize its list of blacklisted drivers with those of the police and the Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD) in order to stop errant motorists from renewing their driving licences.

Currently JPJ was unable to suspend the licences of those present on the police’s blacklist because of a lack of synchronisation between the software used by the two agencies, as well as SPAD. Transport ministry assured that services were being improved periodically to reduced road accidents, adding that the ministry was relying on the implementation of the Automated Awareness Safety Syatem (AWAS) which combines the Automated Enforcement System (AES) and the Demerit Points System (Kejara), to suspend the licences of reckless drivers.

Action will be taken against the defaulters under AWAS program launched with the demerit Kejara system. AWAS system would be a more holistic approach in reducing road accidents, compared to higher compound fines. In May, the Road Transport (Amendment) Bill was passed to allow the system to be introduced, and it is now in the process of being sussed out.

Transport Minister claimed that once the AWAS was implemented, the demerit system would be used against errant drivers – demerit points would be given for each offence, and if a driver reached the maximum allowed points, their driving licence would be suspended.