Artificial Technology (AI) is a disruptive technology which is changing the way the world works very fast. It has made cumbersome tasks easier for people. Be it monitoring, coding, analysing, online platforms etc. it is transforming the traditional ways.
Kerala has utilized this technology to install AI cameras capable of identifying traffic rules violations such as no seatbelt, no helmet while driving, jumping lights etc. A total of 726 AI cameras have been installed under the Safe Kerala project.Â
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The cameras started functioning on 5th of June and the state transport minister of Kerala, Antony Raju claimed that for this month, it can be seen that the number of accidents as well as accidental deaths have reduced as compared to previous years.
How do AI cameras work in Kerala?
The AI cameras installed are able to keep a 24/7 surveillance on their area and note every rule breaker on the road and give a fine accordingly. Currently 14 districts have control rooms that are getting updates of the occurrences on the roads.
After capturing the rule breakers in their lens, the cameras will send a notification to the nearest district control office. After getting the footage of the violence the control rooms will issue legal notices with violation fines to the offender based on the type and degree of offence.
Types of Offences measured by the AI Cameras
There are various types of offences that the AI is capable of recognising. The major ones include-
- Riding 2-wheeler without a helmet
- Driving or sitting in the passenger seat of any 3 or 4-wheeler without a seatbelt.
- Using Mobile phones like on a call, while driving.
- Not following traffic signals.
- Triple riding on 2-wheelers.
- Rash driving, over the speed limit allowed.
- Parking in no parking or dangerous places.
Degree of offences recorded for the month
From 5th June to 3rd July, the cameras detected 20,42,542 road-rules violations, out of which 7,41,766 were successfully verified and after going through the motor vehicle department, 1,04,063 challans/fines were issued to the offenders.
Out of the 20+ lakh violations noted, the highest were riders riding motorcycles or scooters without a helmet. 73,887 riders were caught on the cameras riding their 2-wheeler vehicle without a helmet.
57.032 of violators, just below the helmet-less drivers, were people sitting in the passenger seats of cars without wearing a seatbelt. Other top offences included pillion riders of 2-wheelers not wearing a helmet, the drivers of 4 or 3-wheelers not wearing a seatbelt, using mobile phones while driving the vehicle.
The vehicles who violated the traffic rules will not be limited to Kerala vehicles. As the information of the violators will also be connected to Vahan, the NIC vehicle software, vehicles registered outside of Kerala will also be penalized if detected to be seen to have broken the traffic-rules.
It has also been claimed by the transport ministry that no undue considerations will be given to the vehicles to VIPs. Every vehicle will be charged for violating the traffic rules. The only exemptions will include emergency vehicles such as Ambulances, Fire-trucks, Police cars etc. If any violations are detected from these vehicles, a separate notice will be issued with the help of vehicle plate number recognition.
Reduced deaths due to AI cameras
As compared to June 2022, which faced 3,714 accidents, sacrificing a total of 440 lives, in June 2024, this number saw a drop as the accidents went down to 1,278 and the deaths were reduced to 140.
Though not everything can be predicted, it is true that AI cameras will increase the state’s monitoring abilities. Not only in recognizing traffic-rules violations, accidents can get found earlier reducing potential casualties.
