The Automated Awareness Safety System (AWAS) officially began operating on April 1, 2017 but currently, they are only focused on two main offences, which are speeding and running red lights.
However, a recent report by Oriental Daily said that starting from March 2018, the rules will be tightened and 19 new offences will be added to the system. These new offences were in line to be added to the system awhile back but the system had to be rigorously tested to ensure that it could effectively track all 21 offences. Better obey all traffic rules!
Dato’ Sri Liow Tiong Lai made a speech during the Chinese New Year road safety campaign launched on 25 January and said that in 2016 alone, there were 7,152 deaths caused by road accidents. This was a sharp increase compared to 6,706 in 2015.
In case you have forgotten, the AWAS system integrates both the AES and Kejara demerit points system, which could ultimately lead to your driving licence getting revoked. More eyes watching you! The driving licences will be suspended from a period of six to 12 months, depending on the offence and how many times you have broken the law.
By the fifth offence, your licence will be cancelled and you will have to go through the whole process of getting a driving licence again. So leceh! That’s not all, drivers who are suspended three times in a period of five years will also have their licences cancelled. These offences carry a minimum fine of RM150 too!
Liow said that the purpose of enforcing these rules was not to penalise motorists but to save lives. “We want to reduce these figures by 10 per cent every year and it is really challenging. If none of us break the rules, the roads will be safer for everyone.” #Truth
So, take note of these 21 offences and make sure not to break them!
1. Running red lights
2. Speeding
3. Using mobile phone while driving
4. Failing to fasten safety belts while driving
5. Overtaking the queue on a double line
6. Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
7. Overloading of commercial vehicles
8. Not wearing helmet on motorcycle
9. Misusing the emergency lane
10. Failure to stop at police checkpoints
11. Overtaking from the left side
12. Not following traffic rules
13. Spoiling the road’s facilities
14. Not giving way to emergency vehicles such as ambulance
15. Blocking car number plate
16. Front passenger failing to fasten seat belt
17. Too many passengers in the vehicle
18. Smoking while driving
19. Unsecured load causing things to drop on road
20. Exceeding the double line
21. Commercial vehicles and public transport vehicles hogging the fast lane
Drive safe, everyone and for the last time, obey the road rules!
Also read: AWAS Traffic Systems Officially Begins, Drivers May Face License Suspension or Revocation