1

Something keeps flashing when every car passes by at the road side of the
highway. Have you ever thought what that is? It is AES, Automated Enforcement
System. It is a new method that has been introduced few months ago. It is a tracking
system that automatically detects and records traffic offenses using sensors installed
on the road and the wrong image recorder camera picture and video. As the AES is
installed, many voices are shown up among the citizens either to agree or dispute
the application of AES. Is there any problem for the citizens with the application of
AES?
The citizens who agree with AES said, if Malaysians have the sense of
awareness to drive safely on the road, then the AES is useless but they are not. How
important AES is? It helps to change Malaysian typical driving culture remains
regardless of the rate of the vehicle, the driver or constraint enforcement. Malaysian
driving culture can be seen through their attitude and behaviour. For example, no
signal is given, using phone gadgets while driving, queue jumping and rudeness.
This makes Malaysian a good driver and habits.
Apart from that, it helps to reduce the number of accidental death as drivers and
motorcyclists cannot simply do whatever they want that may cause accident. It
operates 24 hours and does not affect by seasons or weather even has no manually
recording required, no human intervention or no corruption elements. It detects all
types of vehicles including motorcycles as they contribute the highest fatality in roads.
Offenders vehicles and license plate number will be passed on to JPJ for issuance
of the summons. It can be used as evidences in court by the offender.
However, instead of advantages, there are still some disadvantages of this
newly-implement system as well. First, people claim the payment of suit is too high
compared to other country which also installs AES such as Australia, its payment is
moderate and acceptable. This is because some Malaysian have to face the
hardship as they have to decide either to pay the summons or to replace the worn
tyres. Definitely, people will choose to pay the summons to avoid from being
overcharged and blacklisted by JPJ or PDRM. This situation will lead to the
increasing of the number of accident due to vehicle factor as the people neglect their
car safety.
2

The second fact is, some drivers do not notice the existence of the AES.
There is no signage to alert that they are entering the AES zone. The car behind
may hit the vehicle in front and cause accident because they apply emergency brake
as they see the flashing light of the AES. It is not only because of the signage but the
suitable place to set AES. It should not be placed at the corner but upright of the
road billboards. It is easier to record and can be seen clearly by them where it is.
Last but not least, how progressive the system is, it still tends to have some
weakness in terms of detecting the driver. People claim that they receive the
summons but neither they nor their car are on the spot. For example, a marketing
executive from Seremban, Negeri Sembilan was not in Jalan Klang Lama, Selangor
at the time of the alleged incident. These cases are increasing monthly since the
implementary of AES. Soon, there will be a lot of unsolved cases and innocent
people seem to be the scapegoat. On the other hand, our government should hold
about summons and upgrade the system so we can more rely on AES and be
responsible for what we have done.
In conclusion, every road user should be responsible in following traffic rules.
In order to ensure everyone to comply with the road regulations, the implementation
of AES makes people to be a liability citizen. For example, an analysis was released
last week. The programmes first five months showed a dramatic decline in speeding
citations issued by the cameras, which were triggered by cars going more than 12
mph over the speed limit. Now, the AES already gives a strong message towards all
citizens for being a good driver who abide by the rules is a smarter and safer choice.
Remember, speeding is killing.