THE Penang Bridge may soon have Automated Awareness Safety System (AwAS) cameras.

Works Minister Baru Bian said the bridge concessionaire PLUS Malaysia had proposed that such cameras to be installed to deter motorists from speeding and curb accidents that involve vehicles plunging into the sea.

“Such incidents happen when vehicles move at high speeds.

“The matter will be referred to the Road Transport Department,” he told the Dewan Rakyat during question time this morning.

Baru was answering R.S.N. Rayer’s (Jelutong-PH) question on the ministry’s measures to boost the bridge’s safety features to prevent vehicles from plunging into the sea.

In January, a Mazda SUV plunged into the sea after another car rammed into it at high speed on the bridge. The SUV driver was trapped in his car and drowned.

In his supplementary question, Rayer also cited Monday’s fatal accident involving a factory bus near the the MASKargo area in Sepang.

The bus carrying 43 MASKargo contract workers plunged into a monsoon drain killing 12, including the driver.

“Is there any plan to install barriers or additional safety features for roads where there are big drains and ravines to prevent similar incidents in the future,” Rayer asked.

Baru said the government was always planning to increase road safety, but one must also remember that the human factor also contributed to accidents.

“But we are always open to suggestions on improving road safety,” he said. – April 10, 2019.