A month’s delay for new law on motorists’ demerit system

Road Transport Act to be amended for Awas system, unifying the demerit points system and Automated Enforce­ment System.

PUTRAJAYA: Parliament will be asked to approve proposed amendments to the Road Transport Act for the new Awas demerit points system next month.

Transport minister Liow Tiong Lai said he hoped to table the Bill in May instead of this month as the current Dewan Rakyat sitting was nearing its end.

“We are currently dealing with the legal implication issues,” he was quoted as saying yesterday.

The new Awareness Automated Safety System (Awas) unifies the Kejara demerit points system and the Automated Enforce­ment System which uses automated cameras to capture traffic offences.

Liow announced discounted licence fees to encourage unlicensed motorcyclists to obtain a valid licence.

A B2-class licence for motorcycles under 250cc will now cost RM299 instead of the usual RM350.

Motorcyclists comprise of 60 per cent of annual road deaths in Malaysia. More than one quarter of the 6,706 killed last year were below 25 years old.

Liow said there had been an overwhelming response to the licensing programme last year, with more than 20,000 unlicensed motorcyclists signing up.

Those above 45 years old can get a B2-class licence at RM170 under the Satu Komuniti Satu JPJ programme, said Liow.