Puad: Install AES cameras near schools

The Education Ministry wants the government to install the Automated Enforcement System (AES) cameras near schools on main roads to help reduce accidents involving students.

"A lot of schools are located near busy main roads that pose a danger to students. There are no traffic lights even near some schools," Deputy Education Minister Mohd Puad Zarkashi was quoted as saying in a report by Malay daily Utusan Malaysia today.

"Even where there are traffic lights outside schools, some drivers ignore them, causing accidents and fatalities," Puad lamented.

He said his ministry was working on a study to list schools that needed to be bolstered with the presence of AES cameras and the findings would be submitted to the Road Transport Department soon.

Puad also criticised parties that oppose the implementation of the AES system for "politicising" the issue.

Traffic lights are generally placed close to public facilities such as schools to assist the people, in this case students, to cross roads safely.

It is unclear how the AES will help schoolchildren cross busy roads close to schools without traffic lights in the vicinity, though it may help make sure vehicles will slow down when they pass school areas.