Dubai Police uses artificial intelligence to predict accident hot spots and detect speeding vehicles in real time

Artificial intelligence is playing an increasingly important role in ensuring road safety in Dubai. The intelligent traffic system deployed by Dubai Police can predict accident-prone locations, detect speeding vehicles in real time, and help police intervene before accidents escalate.Dubai Police said its advanced traffic management system continuously analyzes real-time traffic information, including vehicle numbers, speeds and movement patterns across the emirate, Khaleej Times reported.The system combines real-time input with historical traffic data to identify risk trends and locations that may require intervention.Officials said areas where speeding is detected can lead to enhanced radar coverage and targeted enforcement measures, allowing authorities to take preventive measures and improve road safety.The force has also integrated an artificial intelligence-driven platform capable of monitoring driver behavior in real-time. These systems are designed to continuously learn and adapt, allowing authorities to extend their use to a wider range of traffic offenses.Dubai Police said the technology is also being used to develop specialized solutions for identifying vehicles that generate excessive noise and disruption.In addition to law enforcement, predictive analytics can help authorities plan for major events, predict congestion, and allocate transportation resources more efficiently.Traffic Patrol is connected to a network of cameras, surveillance systems and command centers, allowing officers to receive instant alerts about incidents, violations and traffic jams.The emphasis on technology comes as Dubai Police continues to crack down on dangerous driving behaviour. In the most recent enforcement campaign, police issued 4,504 fines for hard shoulder overtaking in the first five months of this year.Brigadier General Juma bin Suwaidan, acting director of the General Directorate of Transport, warned that the hard shoulder is reserved for emergencies, including stranded vehicles and emergency personnel such as ambulances, civil defense teams and police patrols, Gulf News reported.“Such reckless behavior not only reflects a disregard for traffic laws, but also a lack of concern for the safety of others,” he said, noting that motorists do not want their vehicles to travel on the hard shoulder, increasing the risk of collisions and runovers.According to statistics from Dubai Police, February had the highest number of overtaking violations on hard shoulders with 1,638 cases, followed by January with 1,379 cases. There were 676 violations in March, with 482 and 329 violations recorded in May and April respectively.Dubai Police said awareness-raising activities remain a key pillar of its road safety strategy, along with enforcement. The authorities believe that a combination of education and legal deterrence, which encourages motorists to comply with traffic laws through increased awareness and accountability, yields the best results.The latest push builds on Dubai Police’s wider artificial intelligence roadmap. During GITEX Global 2023, the police launched an artificial intelligence-based mechanism for handling minor traffic accidents. The system, currently being developed and tested, is designed to analyze minor collisions and automatically issue an incident report to the motorist without the need for manual review by police.Officials said the initiative is aimed at speeding up reporting, reducing manual processes by up to 50% and minimizing congestion caused by minor incidents.