The Road Transport Department (JPJ) issued 13,096 traffic summonses in the five days after the implementation of the Automated Awareness Safety System (Awas) and the Demerit Points For Traffic Offences System (Kejara) on April 15.

Transport Ministry secretary-general Datuk Seri Saripuddin Kasim said of the number, 11,556 were for speeding and 1,540 for beating the red light.

"More than 13,000 summonses were issued (between April 15 and 20) but without demerit points which are only given after the compound is paid, to the driver of the car and not the car owner.

"As shown by the nature of offences in the summonses, many Malaysians still find it difficult to change their attitude while on the road despite the implementation of the system," he said after an IM4U programme organised by the Association for Wives of Public Servants and Women in the Public Service (Puspanita).

The system is aimed at reducing the number of road accidents and deaths.

Saripuddin said 14 automated enforcement system (AES) had been installed nationwide. The ministry would increase the number to facilitate detection of traffic offenders.

"Road users'' cooperation and support are needed to reduce the number of road accidents and deaths. This is important and is not just about avoiding demerit points," he said.

Meanwhile, 30 orphans from Rumah Baitul Ahmad received cash and clothing from the association, which were presented by the ministry''s Puspanita patron Datin Sabariah Tukiman.

The programme also involved the Road Safety Department, JPJ and state 1JPJ Youth Squad.

-- BERNAMA