The City of Cape Town is seeking legal approval to introduce AI-powered cameras capable of automatically detecting motorists driving without seatbelts or using mobile phones behind the wheel, marking a significant shift in how traffic enforcement is managed in South Africa.
The proposed system would move road safety monitoring from reactive, human-led enforcement toward automated, continuous compliance detection. Unlike traditional enforcement methods that rely on roadblocks and officer discretion, AI-driven cameras operate around the clock without interruption.
Barry Berman, CEO of traffic fines management firm Fines SA, said the technology would fundamentally change the enforcement landscape for motorists. “AI doesn’t get tired, it doesn’t get distracted, and it doesn’t negotiate at the roadside. It simply records the offence,” Berman said. “Compliance becomes less about avoiding roadblocks and more about consistently following the rules.”
Berman said consistent enforcement is one of the most effective mechanisms for changing driving behavior. “When consequences are predictable and unavoidable, habits start to shift. And ultimately, that’s what improves road safety,” he said.
The move comes alongside broader traffic law reforms, including the planned rollout of the Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences system and its national demerit point framework. As enforcement becomes faster and more automated, the window between an offense and escalating penalties — such as summonses or license renewal blocks — is expected to shrink.
Berman also noted that AI enforcement could reduce roadside conflict. “AI removes emotion and subjectivity from the equation. There’s less room for argument because the evidence is captured digitally. That transparency can actually protect both motorists and officers,” he said.
Once the AARTO demerit system is fully implemented, repeat offenses may carry additional consequences, further increasing the stakes for non-compliance. Officials and industry observers say the broader message is clear: the era of traffic fines going unaddressed or disappearing in bureaucratic backlogs is coming to an end as enforcement technology advances.
