The Sunday Mail
Fatima Bulla-Musakwa
GOVERNMENT will by mid-next year roll out a Smart Traffic Management System (STMS) to detect traffic offenders on video and fine them instantly using smart technologies.
The authorities are in the process of amending requisite laws to ensure implementation of the new system stands on firm legal ground.
Offenders will be recorded on camera in real time, with an instant ticket sent to the owner of the vehicle via mobile phone.
In an interview on the sidelines of the annual Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) Senior Officers’ Conference on Wednesday, Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Minister Kazembe Kazembe said the STMS will address other traffic challenges, including congestion.
“Besides the detection and fining of errant drivers, the artificial intelligence-based systems, through predictive analysis, can be used for automatic decision-making, which enhances planning.
“For instance, the systems can predict that traffic is building up along a certain road, detect alternative roads with less traffic and direct motorists accordingly,” he said.
He added that on a traffic light, artificial-intelligence-based systems can give more time to motorists travelling towards a less congested road while limiting time for those proceeding towards congested roads.
“When fully developed, the system, which will need to be backed by amendment of relevant laws to be effective, will help in eliminating bad driving habits and corrupt tendencies displayed by some law- enforcement agencies.”
The system will link several departments, including the Zimbabwe Population Registration System (ZPRS), Online Border Management System, Electronic Data and Records Management System, as well as the ZRP Case Management System.
To hold the offender accountable, the STMS will also be able to identify bad drivers through facial recognition linked to ZPRS, the Central Vehicle Registry system and the Zimbabwe National Road Administration.
Further, the system will detect traffic offences such as speeding, failure to wear seat belts, proceeding against red traffic lights, unlawful changing of lanes, violating stop signs, driving against a one-way street, dangerous parking and use of cellphones while driving.
“Based on proof of a concept conducted previously, 1 280 traffic violations were detected in two hours out of 2 500 vehicles captured by a camera deployed on Samora Machel Avenue.
“This could rake in close to $100 000 in an hour through fines for Government coffers.”
Those caught on the wrong side of the law but opt to contest their innocence will have their day in the courts.
“Our objective is not to make money but it’s that of law enforcement that will also act as a by-product that brings much-needed revenue,” he said.
Harare motorist Engineer Jacob Kudzai Mutisi said the STMS is long overdue.
“This move will bring sanity on the roads. It also helps us identify people who break the law.
“We are fed up with bad driving, which has become a habit and a danger to pedestrians and motorists, particularly in Harare’s CBD.”
