Texting and driving? City of Cape Town to use AI cameras to catch you

Capetonian motorists who've been getting away with not wearing their seatbelts or using their phones while behind the wheel could soon find themselves at the mercy of AI cameras.

The City of Cape Town is seeking approval from the National Director of Public Prosecutions before rolling out the technology, which would help identify those guilty of these offences.

"It gives you the ability to capture multiple offences at the same time using very dynamic technology,” says the City's Traffic Services spokesperson, Kevin Jacobs.

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The tech has already been trialled on motorists using Philip Kgosana Drive in the Mother City, explains Jacobs.

The cameras are designed to detect certain illegal driving behaviours, including adults not wearing a seatbelt and phone use, says Jacobs.

Footage would first be analysed to ensure accuracy before any fines are sent out, with images captured and adjudicated by a human.

"Somebody would then sit and look at the images and say, 'Yes, there was no safety belt worn'. Because it's new technology, everything has to be adjudicated and checked."

To listen to Jacobs, use the audio player below: