The United Arab Emirates has implemented a new traffic monitoring system that uses artificial intelligence (AI) to minimise road accidents and improve safety overall. The government has verified that the system is being implemented by the traffic police to monitor and study the behaviour of drivers in real time on major roads and highways.

The system is based on sophisticated data analytics, according to the officials, to detect high-risk driving behaviours, including speeding, sudden lane change, and distracted driving. It also assists in identifying areas that are prone to accidents through studying the traffic flow and previous incident data,  so that prevention can be taken in advance before the occurrence of the accident.

The project is a part of a more significant project by the government of the UAE to upgrade its traffic management systems. The new system is based on behavioural monitoring and long-term improvement in drivers, rather than simply resorting to traditional methods of enforcement, such as fines and patrols.

AI system focuses on prevention and driver behaviour improvement

The authorities indicate that the AI platform helps them to categorise drivers according to their degree of risk and track repeat offenders more efficiently. The drivers who engage in frequent or serious accidents can be referred to awareness and training programmes to rectify their bad habits.

The government has pointed out that human error has been among the leading causes of road accidents in the nation. The system seeks to mitigate these risks by directly targeting driver behaviour and thus enhancing safer driving habits in all emirates.

UAE has always been one of the countries with high ratings of road quality, yet the government emphasises the fact that infrastructure does not stop accidents. The introduction of AI to the traffic systems implies a change toward proactive safety, when the technology is employed to anticipate and avert accidents instead of merely reacting to them.

This is also part of the overall smart city policy of the UAE, which aims at leveraging technology to enhance the safety, efficiency and sustainability of the urban population.