The City of Cape Town has confirmed that it recently tested artificial intelligence-powered cameras that can pick up common traffic offences on local roads. The trial forms part of a wider look at how technology could support traffic law enforcement in future.

According to Traffic Services spokesperson Kevin Jacobs, the system can identify drivers who are not wearing seatbelts, motorists using mobile phones behind the wheel and vehicles crossing solid white lines. That means the cameras are being explored for offences that are both common and dangerous on Cape Town’s roads.

No Full Rollout Yet

For now, the City says motorists should not expect an immediate rollout. Jacobs made it clear that there is currently no formal plan to introduce AI cameras across Cape Town, although he said the possibility cannot be ruled out in future.

That matters because it shows the trial is still in an early stage. The technology is being treated as a potential support tool, not a replacement for officers on the ground at this point.

Why This Matters for Drivers

The trial has already sparked debate about how road rules could be enforced more consistently. Fines SA chief executive Barry Berman said AI-based systems could shift driver behaviour because they do not rely on occasional roadblocks or visible policing. Instead, they can monitor offences continuously.

Berman argued that this kind of enforcement removes human inconsistency from the process. In his view, drivers are more likely to change their behaviour when they know offences can be detected at any time, not only when they pass a traffic stop.

A Bigger Shift in Road Enforcement

The Cape Town trial points to a bigger shift in how traffic enforcement could evolve in South Africa. Traditional policing still depends heavily on officers, roadblocks and spot checks. AI tools suggest a model where monitoring becomes more automated and constant.

Even without a citywide rollout yet, the technology is clearly on Cape Town’s radar. And if it moves beyond the test phase, drivers could face a future where seatbelt and cellphone violations are far harder to dodge.