Are AWAS cameras truly a deterrent?
The Road Transport Department recently announced it would be using the latest ‘Automated Number Plate Recognition’ (ANPR) technology for its ‘Automated Awareness Safety System’ (AWAS) cameras.
The move to replace Redflex model cameras with the latest ANPR technology, according to the department, will ensure the cameras operate better.
It should be noted that AWAS is an updated version of the previous Automated Enforcement System (AES), which offers several advantages and disadvantages.
AWAS aims to improve road safety by detecting and penalising traffic violations such as speeding and failure to adhere to traffic lights. This can help to reduce the number of accidents and fatalities on the roads.
According to Malaysia Road Safety Institute (MIROS), AWAS can be effective in encouraging drivers to adhere to traffic laws, indicating that it can successfully influence driver behaviour if such cameras are conspicuous.
The presence of AWAS cameras acts as a deterrence for traffic violations. Knowing that there are cameras monitoring traffic can make drivers more cautious.
AWAS automates the process of monitoring and enforcing traffic rules, reducing the reliance on human traffic officers and allowing them to focus on other duties.
The system collects valuable data on traffic patterns and violations, which can be used to improve road safety measures and inform policy decisions.
It is also acknowledged that automated systems provide consistent enforcement without human biases, ensuring that all drivers are treated equally under the law.
On the other hand, the use of surveillance cameras can raise privacy issues, as individuals may be uncomfortable with their movements being monitored and recorded.
Furthermore, the installation and maintenance of AWAS cameras can be expensive. This includes not only the hardware but also the costs associated with data processing and managing the enforcement system.
Moreover, like any technology, AWAS cameras can experience malfunctions or errors, which might lead to incorrect fines or missed violations.
Thus, there is a concern that such systems may shift the focus from improving road safety to generating revenue through fines, which could undermine public trust.
Drivers may feel frustrated or unfairly targeted, especially if they receive fines for minor infractions or if the system is perceived as overly aggressive.
While AWAS improves enforcement, it must be accompanied by public education to ensure drivers understand the rules and the purpose of the cameras, which helps in achieving better compliance.
However, some argue that camouflaging the AWAS cameras as lamp posts might lead to less predictable enforcement, thereby potentially improving road safety. Drivers might become more cautious if they are unsure which lamp posts are cameras, promoting better adherence to traffic laws.
Conversely, if drivers cannot identify the cameras easily, they may not experience the psychological deterrence intended by the presence of visible enforcement tools. Visible cameras are often thought to have a stronger deterrent effect, as drivers are more aware of being monitored.
If road users are not aware of the cameras, their efficacy in altering driving behaviour might be diminished. Transparency about enforcement locations often helps drivers adhere to traffic rules.
The design might inadvertently lead to a false sense of security among drivers, who may believe that they are not being monitored when, in fact, they are.
While the discreet nature of AWAS cameras aims to blend in with the surroundings, this approach may impact their effectiveness as a deterrent. A balance between subtlety and clear communication about enforcement practices is essential to maximise the system’s intended safety benefits.
While AWAS offers significant benefits in enhancing road safety and ensuring compliance, balancing these benefits with concerns about privacy, cost, and public perception is crucial for its effective implementation and acceptance.
The views expressed here are the personal opinion of the writer and do not necessarily represent that of Twentytwo13.
