Remember Deketeke
Herald Correspondent
THE new electronic traffic management system has entered the validation phase, with authorities reviewing about 4,8 million flagged traffic violations before penalties are imposed on motorists.
Police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi said the process involved examining video footage, vehicle registration numbers and details of alleged offences to establish whether motorists had breached traffic regulations.
“When we talk of validation, what do we mean? We mean that the videos are captured, the number plate is captured, and the date, time and place or site where a particular motorist would have violated the traffic regulations or road rules and regulations are recorded,” he said.
The system, which became fully operational over the weekend, uses intelligent surveillance cameras, automatic number-plate recognition technology and central databases to detect and record suspected traffic offences.
The validation process is expected to ensure that the evidence is accurate before motorists are notified of offences and required to pay fines.
Comm Nyathi encouraged motorists not to panic, saying authorities would conduct a comprehensive public awareness campaign to explain how the system works and what is expected of road users.
“We want to advise Zimbabweans not to panic, and to be fully conversant with what is happening,” he said.
“We will engage in a comprehensive, honest campaign to make sure that Zimbabweans are fully conversant with all the system’s operations.”
The electronic traffic management system is being implemented by the Government through the Zimbabwe Republic Police and its partners, including TelOne, as part of efforts to improve road discipline, enhance enforcement and curb traffic violations.
Comm Nyathi said more than 20 sites in Harare had already been connected to the system, which is expected to improve traffic management in the capital’s central business district and other urban centres.
The technology is intended to target motorists who deliberately flout traffic regulations rather than penalise law-abiding drivers, he said.
“It will not punish Zimbabweans who are law-abiding citizens, but it will decisively deal with reckless driving conduct,” he said.
Offences targeted include driving against oncoming traffic, jumping red traffic lights and disregarding continuous traffic lines.
Motorists found to have committed offences are expected to receive notifications on their mobile phones, enabling them to log into the system and view footage of the alleged violations before accessing details of the applicable fines.
“They are shown the video of the particular incident where one would have committed a traffic offence, and they are also told the amount of the fine they must pay,” Comm Nyathi said.
The system is expected to strengthen traffic enforcement by providing recorded evidence of suspected offences, reducing reliance on roadside encounters between police officers and motorists.
The validation phase will establish whether the recorded incidents constitute offences before penalties are imposed.
However, authorities are yet to provide further details on the verification procedures, how motorists can challenge disputed violations and the timeframe for completing the exercise.
The introduction of the technology comes amid concerns over congestion, dangerous driving and disregard for road regulations in Harare and other urban centres.
Comm Nyathi said the system would also help address public concerns about corruption and the alleged abuse of discretion by some police officers during traffic enforcement.
“People have been complaining that police officers are compromised because some of them end up using their discretion and some end up accepting bribes,” he said.
“But with this system, which is fully monitored through the command centre, everything that is happening is captured.
“We are certainly eliminating the issue of the human factor and corruption. If anything happens, we will capture everything on camera.”
The authorities expect the system to promote greater compliance with traffic rules through consistent monitoring and the use of recorded evidence in enforcing road regulations.
Source: Smart traffic system enters validation phase – herald
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