AI and Drones: The Future of Road Safety?

The government is looking into adopting AI technology to monitor roads and reduce accidents caused by potholes.

The idea was proposed by road safety expert Professor Dr. Law Teik Hua who stated that smart algorithms would be used to study the data, predict risky areas, and help decide which roads need urgent repairs.

He further suggested that the system should employ proper scanning tools, inspection drones, and public feedback through a special app - all with the goal to spot damaged roads quickly and fix them before accidents happen.

Additionally, all information would be shown on a central dashboard with automatic alerts sent to authorities and maintenance companies to make sure they act fast.

In recent weeks, potholes causing fatal accidents have become a serious issue. Recently, a young man lost his life after hitting a pothole on the Kuantan-Cherok Paloh road. Furthermore, less than a month before, two siblings were also involved in a similar type of accident on their way to school in Johor.

Dr. Law said these tragedies show major weaknesses in how road maintenance is handled. He questioned whether the companies in charge and the government are doing enough to prevent such incidents.

He also called for stricter action - contract termination and fines - against road concession companies that are found to be negligent. Additionally, these companies should also pay full compensation to families should there be any loss of life.

Investigation reports for fatal cases should also be made public to ensure transparency.

Dr. Law further urged the government to take a complete approach by combining laws, technology, and community support to fix the system. Such support with stricker enforcement will eventually reduce accidents, cut costs and most importantly, make roads safer for everyone.