The government is considering the adoption of an artificial intelligence (AI)-driven road monitoring system to curb pothole-related accidents, following renewed concerns over road safety and infrastructure maintenance.
According to NST, the proposed system, tabled by road safety expert Professor Dr Law Teik Hua, would incorporate scanning technology, inspection drones, and a public feedback platform via a dedicated mobile app to identify and address road defects more efficiently.
Professor Law said the AI system would use smart algorithms to analyse data, predict high-risk zones, and prioritise repairs based on damage severity. “The collected information would be displayed on a central dashboard accessible to authorities and concessionaires, with automatic alerts to ensure prompt action and greater accountability,” he explained.
The call for urgent reform follows a recent fatal accident in Kuantan, where a motorcyclist lost his life after skidding into a pothole on the Kuantan–Cherok Paloh road. Just weeks earlier, a similar incident in Kluang, Johor, claimed the lives of two school-going siblings.
“These repeated tragedies underscore systemic failures in our road maintenance framework,” said Law. “They raise serious questions about the oversight of concession companies and the effectiveness of current enforcement mechanisms.”
He urged the government to hold negligent road maintenance firms accountable through stiff penalties, including contract termination and full compensation to victims’ families. “Every fatality linked to road negligence must be transparently investigated, and findings made public,” he added.
Law further recommended integrating the AI system with enforcement protocols to enable direct punitive action against concessionaires who fail to meet maintenance standards.
“This is more than just a matter of potholes—it’s about protecting lives,” he said. “With AI-supported monitoring, legal enforcement, and public engagement, we can create a safer and more responsive road maintenance ecosystem.”
He believes the system could not only reduce accidents but also help cut long-term maintenance costs by enabling proactive repairs.
