City awaits legal approval to deploy technology that could fundamentally transform road safety enforcement in South Africa
Cape Town is on the cusp of a technological transformation in traffic enforcement, as the City seeks legal approval to introduce AI-powered cameras capable of automatically detecting motorists driving without seatbelts or using mobile phones behind the wheel.
The proposed system represents a significant shift from reactive, human-led enforcement toward automated, continuous compliance detection. If approved by the National Director of Public Prosecutions, the cameras could operate around the clock, fundamentally changing how traffic laws are enforced on South African roads.
Technology Already Tested
The AI cameras are not entirely new to Cape Town’s streets. The technology has already been piloted on Phillip Kgosana Drive and is capable of capturing multiple violations simultaneously, according to Traffic Services spokesperson Kevin Jacobs.
The system works by tracking moving vehicles, geolocating them, and capturing images of suspected offences, which are then verified before any penalties are processed. Crucially, each potential offence is reviewed to confirm that the driver is indeed committing a violation, addressing potential concerns about automated errors.
Despite the pilot’s success, the city says it has no immediate plans to deploy AI traffic cameras at scale, with the legal approval serving as the primary hurdle to broader implementation.
A Response to a National Crisis
The push for automated enforcement comes against a sobering backdrop. South Africa remains one of the most dangerous countries to drive in globally, with low seatbelt use and high rates of traffic deaths. Research shows that only about 31% of front seat passengers wear seatbelts, underscoring the enforcement challenge authorities face.
Cape Town’s traffic enforcement is stretched thin. The city recorded more than 2.7 million traffic offences in the previous financial year, although officials believe the actual number of violations is likely higher. According to Jacobs, “technology is becoming ever more critical in the enforcement space, as there simply is not the human resources to respond to the many demands on the City’s services”.
The Industry Perspective
Barry Berman, CEO of traffic fines management firm Fines SA, believes the technology would fundamentally change the enforcement landscape for motorists. In his view, “AI doesn’t get tired, it doesn’t get distracted, and it doesn’t negotiate at the roadside. It simply records the offence”.
Berman also suggests the technology could reduce confrontations. “AI removes emotion and subjectivity from the equation. There’s less room for argument because the evidence is captured digitally. That transparency can actually protect both motorists and officers”, he explained.
The timing aligns with broader traffic law reforms, including the planned rollout of the Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences (AARTO) system and its national demerit point framework, which could compound the consequences for repeat offenders.
Lessons from Australia
International experience suggests the technology can be effective. Similar technology has been in use in parts of Australia for several years, where penalties include heavy fines and the loss of demerit points.
Peter Khoury, Head of Media at the National Roads and Motorists’ Association in Australia, reports that “It’s definitely had a huge impact. It’s been very effective because what it’s allowed law enforcement to do is focus on other things instead of trying to catch drivers using their phones illegally”.
In Victoria, widespread rollout of automated mobile phone enforcement is predicted to prevent 95 casualty crashes per year, with the state government investing $156.1 million to continue and expand the technology program through to 2030.
Privacy and Fairness Concerns
Not everyone is convinced. The plan has been met with scepticism and concern from drivers and civil liberties advocates, raising questions about privacy, fairness, and accuracy.
Critics say without transparent protocols, accessible evidence for contested fines, and safeguards for motorists’ rights, the rollout may erode public trust without addressing deeper issues of road behaviour.
Cape Town’s cautious approach reflects a broader challenge facing governments globally: balancing the efficiency of AI surveillance with legal and constitutional concerns. The city’s wait for prosecutorial approval highlights the uncharted legal territory this technology represents in South Africa.
What Happens Next
For now, Cape Town motorists remain in a holding pattern. The decision rests with the National Director of Public Prosecutions, who must determine whether evidence gathered through AI-enabled cameras would be admissible and legally enforceable in South African courts.
If approved, the cameras could herald a new era of traffic enforcement—one where violations are detected consistently and consequences are swift. Whether that future improves road safety or simply generates public backlash will depend largely on how transparently and fairly the system is implemented.
As the city awaits a verdict, the message to drivers is clear: the age of sporadic, human-led enforcement may be drawing to a close, replaced by unblinking digital eyes that never sleep.
