Kerala Launches AI-Powered Traffic Cameras to Catch Violators 

On April 20th, the southern Indian state of Kerala launched the ‘Safe Kerala’ project, which involves using artificial intelligence (AI) cameras to detect traffic offences and levy fines. The Kerala Motor Vehicle Department has placed 726 AI cameras to monitor traffic offences. The cameras will begin by focusing on violations such as riding a two-wheeler without a helmet, transporting more than two passengers, using a phone while driving, and running red signals.

What is the “Safe Kerala” project?

Through the “Safe Kerala” project, the Motor Vehicle Department has implemented the “Fully Automated Traffic Enforcement System” to detect traffic offences using cameras. According to the department, roadside enforcement is inconvenient for the public. The AI cameras are solar-powered and send data through 4G LTE SIM. The cameras’ visual processing unit examines every vehicle, and photographs of any vehicles and drivers who violate traffic laws are sent to the Motor Vehicles Department’s control room. The system also records transgressions for six months. The Motor Vehicles Department is expecting up to 30,000 penalty notices to be issued in a single day. Before issuing any warnings, motor vehicle inspectors will inspect and assess traffic offences.

The increasing road accidents in Kerala

According to reports, the rise in road accidents in Kerala can be due to a failure to follow safety laws and inadequate infrastructure development. Two-wheelers have been rated as the most dangerous vehicles on Kerala’s roadways, with riders sustaining the most injuries. There were 13,334 two-wheeler accidents in Kerala in 2022, with 1,288 fatalities. Similarly, there were 10,154 two-wheeler incidents in 2021, with 1,069 people killed. According to government data, 43,910 traffic incidents occurred in the state in 2022, resulting in 4,317 fatalities and 34,638 injuries.

In 2021, 33,296 accidents occurred, resulting in 3,429 deaths, 26,495 serious injuries, and 10,280 minor injuries. The district of Ernakulam in Kerala had the most accidents, with a total of 4,047. According to officials, most accidents are caused by people failing to follow traffic laws and recklessness, such as drunk driving or driver incompetence.