SHAH ALAM - The use of Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) technology has the potential to streamline and modernise road enforcement, but it must be combined with a hybrid approach to address any weaknesses in the system.
Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) Road Safety Research Centre head Associate Professor Dr Law Teik Hua said ANPR can reduce reliance on physical roadblocks, which often cause congestion.
However, he said concerns over loopholes such as the use of fake registration numbers are valid and must be taken seriously.
He pointed out one of ANPR’s main limitations is its heavy dependence on the accuracy of visual data and reference databases.
“If a vehicle uses a fake, cloned or modified registration plate, the system can be compromised.
“For example, non-standard fonts, reflective stickers or deliberately obscured plates may cause the ANPR system to fail in detecting non-compliance.
“In such situations, the vehicle could ‘slip through’ because the system identifies only the number, not the physical authenticity of the plate itself,” he told Sinar on Wednesday.
He added that ANPR works best when integrated with constantly updated databases such as records from the Road Transport Department (JPJ), the police and insurance companies.
“If data integration is weak or not in real time, vehicles with fake plates or expired road tax can still remain on the road without being immediately detected,” he said.
Law believes that technology alone, without a strong supporting data ecosystem, can create vulnerabilities.
As such, he stressed that a hybrid approach is the best way to cover existing shortcomings.
“This is not a reason to reject ANPR, but rather shows the need for a hybrid approach,” he said.
On Wednesday, Transport Minister Anthony Loke has called for a shift away from traditional, congestion-causing physical roadblocks, saying JPJ must embrace digital enforcement through data integration and ANPR technology.
He said ANPR technology, which is already being implemented by highway operators like Plus for toll collection, can be integrated with JPJ’s MySikap database to perform instant, automated checks.