South Africa is on the cusp of a significant shift in traffic enforcement, as the City of Cape Town has recently explored the introduction of AI-powered cameras capable of detecting seatbelt and mobile phone violations in real time.
According to Kevin Jacobs, spokesperson for the City’s Traffic Services, the City of Cape Town used an AI camera on a trial basis to see how the technology could be of use in detecting offences like crossing solid white lines, motor vehicle occupants not wearing seatbelts, or using their mobile phones while driving.
“At this time, there is no plan for a rollout of AI cameras; however, we cannot discount the possibility that AI will play a bigger role in this, and other means of enforcement in the future,” he told TygerBurger.
Should this ever go ahead at some point in the future, traffic enforcement could, for the first time, move beyond roadblocks and visible policing to continuous, automated monitoring, with implications not only for road safety, but for how quickly fines are issued.
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Paves the way
This technology will pave the way for a new phase of traffic enforcement, according to Fines SA which is of the view that these offences are the most common and dangerous road offences.
“This is a significant moment for road safety in South Africa. AI doesn’t get tired, it doesn’t get distracted, and it doesn’t negotiate at the roadside. It simply records the offence,” says Barry Berman, CEO of Fines SA.
“Compliance becomes less about avoiding roadblocks and more about consistently following the rules.”
Historically, enforcement has relied heavily on visible policing, roadblocks, and officer discretion. AI-driven monitoring changes that dynamic entirely, as it operates continuously and consistently.
“There are no warning waves, no leniency, and no margin for ‘I didn’t realise’,” says Berman.
“Motorists are used to thinking that enforcement is something they encounter occasionally. AI changes that mindset. It creates certainty. If you are not wearing a seatbelt or you’re on your phone while driving, the system will detect it.”
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