ONLY a fraction of traffic fines last year were paid using the Automated Traffic Offence Management System (Atoms), even though it is a cheaper alternative to appearing in court.

Last year, only 4,397 out of more than 80,000 cases eligible for payment using the automated system were settled through AXS machines located at public places like shopping malls and petrol kiosks.

Calling the usage 'extraordinarily low' at a keynote address, Chief Justice Chan Sek Keong said the Subordinate Courts plan to publicise the system to HDB residents with help from statutory boards such as the Traffic Police and Land Transport Authority.

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