Qatar has launched a project that involves the use of surveillance cameras on main roads across the country to detect traffic violations.
The project has been launched by the National Command Centre (NCC) Central Operations Department in co-operation with the Traffic Department and the General Directorate of Information Systems at the Ministry of Interior (MoI).
The initiative will contribute significantly to tightening security control in all parts of the country, ease vehicular movement and monitor traffic violations promptly, according to a statement issued by the Interior Ministry yesterday.
SHOW_GAD
Col Saeed Hassan al-Mazroui, director of the NCC Central Operations Department, said the project would help detect all types of traffic violations instantly. These include violations pertaining to speed limit, wrong overtaking, seatbelts, use of mobile phones, jumping signals, driving at an excessively low speed on highways, which undermine the safety of road users, he said.
Col al-Mazroui expressed confidence that the cameras would help enhance supervision of streets.
He pointed out that 23,000 traffic violations were detected during a trial last month, all of which were caused by mistakes on the part of motorists.
He explained that the “smart cameras” could be controlled from the operations room, which will monitor violations by zooming into vehicles and capture their numbers. Other details such as the time, place and type of violation will also be recorded.
Owners of vehicles caught in camera violating the rules will be notified through text messages on Metrash, the officer added.
Lieut Col Hassan Mohamed al-Kuwari, assistant director of the NCC Central Operations Department, has stressed that highly-trained staff would handle the cameras and monitor their operations. He expected the project to help ease congestion and ensure compliance with traffic rules and regulations.
