Kuwait enhances traffic control with 1,109 surveillance cameras
Major Musaed Al-Aslawi, Head of the Traffic Awareness Section at the General Traffic Department, said traffic cameras, including new systems, detect all violations, particularly failure to wear seatbelts and the use of mobile phones while driving.
• Different types of cameras are installed to regulate traffic conditions, including surveillance and traffic monitoring cameras, artificial intelligence cameras that measure speed from ‘point to point,’ modern cameras designed to detect ‘no turning’ violations, and mobile cameras.
With the new traffic law set to take effect on April 22, the Ministry of Interior and the traffic system have completed preparations for enforcing the updated fines, following an awareness campaign on the law’s provisions, Al Jarida newspaper reported.
Major Musaed Al-Aslawi, Head of the Traffic Awareness Section at the General Traffic Department, stated that traffic monitoring cameras, including newly deployed systems, can detect all types of violations, particularly failure to wear seatbelts and the use of mobile phones while driving.
Al-Aslawi informed the newspaper about the various types of traffic cameras installed on ring roads, main roads, and internal roads across the country. He noted that different types of cameras are used to regulate traffic conditions, including surveillance and traffic monitoring cameras, artificial intelligence cameras that measure speed from “point to point,” modern cameras designed to detect “no turning” violations, and mobile cameras.
He explained that the 413 traffic surveillance cameras positioned at intersections and linked to the traffic control room help monitor and manage congestion by adjusting traffic signal timings. These cameras also detect violations such as using mobile phones while driving, failing to wear seat belts, allowing children to sit in the front seats, crossing landlines, and obstructing traffic.
He added that control room staff can direct these cameras to monitor intersections from all angles and track traffic violations in real-time.
Al-Aslawi further stated that 421 fixed traffic cameras installed on ring roads, main roads, internal roads, and intersections are used to monitor speeding and red-light violations. These cameras are carefully reviewed after data is extracted, and recorded violations are verified. If a violation is confirmed, it is registered against the offender through the government application Sahel.
He pointed out that if the department responsible for reviewing camera footage detects additional violations—such as using a mobile phone while driving or failing to wear a seatbelt—these infractions will be added to the primary violation.
252 artificial intelligence cameras
Al-Aslawi explained that 252 artificial intelligence cameras, installed on most roads and internal areas, are specifically designed to detect seat belt violations, children sitting in the front seats, mobile phone use while driving, and failure to adhere to lane markings.
He pointed out that artificial intelligence cameras are also subject to an audit process, and if a violation is confirmed, a notice is sent to the driver via the Sahel application.
He emphasized that these cameras, along with traffic control cameras, record seatbelt violations for both the driver and the front-seat passenger, while mobile phone violations are recorded for the driver only.
Speed cameras between two points
Al-Aslawi stated that five “point-to-point” cameras are primarily used to monitor speeding violations. These modern cameras are installed on external roads, including Abdali Road, Jaber Bridge, Doha Link, Al-Taawun Street, and Fahaheel Road.
He explained that these cameras track vehicle speed from the initial detection point to the next, calculating the vehicle’s speed as it passes between the two points.
He added that if a driver is found to have exceeded the speed limit between the two points, a traffic violation will be recorded against them.
18 mobile cameras to monitor speeding on highways
Al-Aslawi revealed that 18 mobile traffic cameras are dedicated to monitoring speeding violations on highways. These cameras are mounted on vehicles stationed at designated locations along the highways.
He pointed out that if a vehicle is flagged for a violation and further review confirms that the driver was using a mobile phone, not wearing a seatbelt, or had a child sitting in the front seat, these additional violations will be recorded along with the primary offense.
