What You Need to Know
The Mauritian government is investigating the implementation of AI-powered Safe City cameras to enhance road safety enforcement and the Penalty Points System. Ministers Mahomed and Ramtohul conducted a site visit to assess how existing infrastructure can be optimized for better traffic management, focusing on detecting various driving offenses and improving overall road safety.
Africa-Press – Mauritius. Government is exploring the use of artificial intelligence-powered Safe City cameras to strengthen road safety enforcement and enhance the Penalty Points System. In this context, the Minister of Land Transport, Mr Mahomed Osman Cassam Mahomed, and the Minister of Information Technology, Communication and Innovation, Dr Avinash Ramtohul, carried out a site visit, today, at the Police Main Command and Control Centre in Ebène, in the presence of the Director of the Traffic Management and Road Safety Unit, Mr Akash Sungker.
In a statement, Minister Mahomed highlighted that the visit aimed at assessing how existing Safe City infrastructure can be further leveraged to improve traffic management and road safety, in line with the Government’s budgetary objectives.
He underlined that AI-enabled cameras could be used not only to detect speeding but also offences such as non-wearing of seat belts, use of mobile phones while driving, and dangerous driving behaviours, with the possibility of automatically triggering fines and penalty points in accordance with the law. Discussions also focused on enhancing monitoring of heavy-duty vehicles (“poids lourds”) and enabling real-time alerts for swift Police intervention.
Minister Ramtohul, for his part, described the Police Main Command and Control Centre as the “central nervous system” of the Safe City network, noting that significant investments have already been made in the technology. He stressed the need to maximise its use within the legal framework, with planned amendments to support automated enforcement and notification systems.
Both Ministers emphasised that further technological upgrades and legal provisions are being considered to promote greater respect for road regulations and improve overall safety for road users.
The concept of Safe Cities has gained traction globally as urban areas seek to leverage technology for improved public safety. In Mauritius, the government is increasingly investing in AI and surveillance technologies to address traffic violations and enhance law enforcement capabilities. This initiative aligns with broader efforts to modernize infrastructure and promote road safety in the country, reflecting a commitment to utilizing innovative solutions for pressing societal challenges. The integration of AI in traffic management systems is expected to streamline enforcement processes and encourage compliance with road regulations.
