Malaysia is considering making dashcams compulsory for all road users as part of broader efforts to strengthen traffic enforcement and improve road safety nationwide.
According to Astro AWANI, the Jabatan Siasatan dan Penguatkuasaan Trafik (JSPT) Bukit Aman is currently reviewing a proposal to require the use of dashcams, which are presently treated as optional accessories rather than mandatory equipment in vehicles.
Deputy Director I (Enforcement, Traffic Control and Summons Management) of JSPT Bukit Aman, DCP Mohd Rozi Jidin, said it may be time for the relevant authorities, particularly the Ministry of Transport, to reassess the status of dashcams.
Turning road users into “Eyes And Ears”
Mohd Rozi explained that the proposal aims to empower members of the public to act as additional “eyes and ears” for enforcement agencies by recording and reporting traffic offences.
At the moment, dashcams are not compulsory and are considered accessories. But perhaps the time has come for us to make them mandatory so that all road users can become the eyes of the authorities, where offences can be recorded and reported,” he told Astro AWANI on Tuesday.
He added that JSPT is also exploring mechanisms to reward individuals who actively report traffic offences using dashcam footage.
Possible incentives for reporting offences
Among the ideas being considered is the introduction of incentives such as future summons discounts for those who regularly submit verified reports of traffic violations.
This is still in the planning stage within JSPT in the context of dashcams. In the future, those who do not report may not receive summons discounts, while those who do may enjoy certain advantages,” he said.
Mohd Rozi noted that JSPT has received positive feedback from the public, with many supporting wider dashcam usage as a tool to assist enforcement efforts.
Clear rules and legal guidelines still needed
He also said the proposal includes allowing any road user with a dashcam to record incidents or traffic offences and channel the footage to authorities, with potential benefits to follow.
At the same time, he stressed that any reporting using dashcam footage must comply with laws and guidelines that will be set by the authorities.
