The government is confident that the use of the automated enforcement system (AES) is capable of reducing the risk of accidents following the rise in the number of vehicles on the road in the country, said Deputy Transport Minister Datuk Abdul Rahim Bakri.

He said that the technology which was being used in 90 countries including Singapore and Thailand, had shown positive results.

With an increase of one million vehicles annually, the system was suitable in developing a courteous attitude and discipline among road users, he said when met today.

"Last year, a total of 450,000 accidents were recorded with 6,871 fatal cases or 19 deaths per day," he said.

Abdul Rahim said the government decision to implement the AES was not hasty because several processes were involved including undertaking a study in 2003 before the cabinet decided on its implementation in 2006.

The AES cameras were installed in stages with the first phase involving 14 of the 831 blackspots identified as accident prone.

The areas include Perak, Selangor, Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya.
-- BERNAMA
ZUZ MOK AO