New cameras to detect passing cars with outstanding summonses

KUALA LUMPUR: In a major new strategy against motorists with outstanding summonses, police will begin using 20 automated number plate recognition (ANPR) cameras in the next two months.

The cameras, which can be mounted on any police car, will be able to detect and flag any passing car whose registration number is linked to an outstanding summons in the Bukit Aman database.

Police will then be able to stop the vehicle and take necessary action against the driver.

The cameras will be deployed at strategic areas, including nine entry and exit points into the country which have been identified for their use.

Federal traffic police chief Senior Asst Comm Datuk Mohd Fuad Abdul Latiff said police would be looking at making a bigger dent against “hardcore traffic offenders” with the delivery of these cameras.

“A total of 1.06 million outstanding summonses have yet to be settled and we are looking at bringing down this number,” he said.

Vehicles used in criminal activities will be similarly flagged.

“Besides using the ANPR cameras to trace errant motorists, the CID and Narcotics Crime Investigation Department will also benefit from the use of the system,” SAC Mohd Fuad told reporters at Bukit Aman yesterday.

He said the ANPR image capturing hardware could be mounted on any police car deemed fit.

“The system has been designed so that the camera will be placed on the dashboard of our vehicle and will be aimed at oncoming vehicles.

“When a vehicle passes by, the camera will capture an image of the number plate and send it to the police database.

“If the number plate has any summonses tagged to it, then the system will inform our personnel and they can conduct an arrest or take appropriate measures,” he said.

SAC Mohd Fuad said the system would allow police to work smarter and avoid huge jams caused by setting up roadblocks.

He said they could also place the system on an unmarked police car.

The first phase of the ANPR would cost RM30mil and the devices would be linked to a centralized server in Bukit Aman.

On another matter, SAC Mohd Fuad, who is taking over the post of Bukit Aman’s Integrity and Standard Compliance Department deputy director, said that between January and September this year 4,940 road fatalities were recorded compared to 5,138 cases during the same period in 2014.

“Although the deaths have been reduced, we believe there is much room for improvement.

“Every death is serious to us and we would like to see as few road fatalities as possible,” he said.

SAC Mohd Fuad said the five states with the highest accidents cases were Selangor (104,105), Johor (49,814), Kuala Lumpur (47,942), Penang (29,734) and Perak (26,928).

“Motorcyclists and pillion riders still make up more than 60% of all road fatalities, with 3,098 of the 4,940 fatalities in that period,” he said.