Dubai to expand smart camera network after 27,000 traffic violations in October

Dubai Police announced plans to install additional smart traffic monitoring cameras: in October alone, the systems recorded more than 27,000 violations, including dangerous driving, phone use behind the wheel, and driving without a seatbelt. Brigadier General Juma Salem bin Suwaidan emphasized that artificial intelligence-based technologies detect violations that are difficult for regular patrols to notice, and warned about the dangers of distracted driving.

Aziz KarimovFirst published on tafs uz 13 November 2026 at 17:442 min read

The key facts

Dubai Police plan to install more smart cameras after 27,000 violations were detected in October
Fines: 800 dirhams (~217 dollars) for using a phone behind the wheel, 700 dirhams for not wearing a seatbelt
AI-based systems record violations that are difficult for regular patrols to detect

Expanding smart surveillance on Dubai's roads

Dubai Police intend to install additional smart traffic monitoring cameras after systems recorded more than 27,000 violations in October alone — among them dangerous driving, using a mobile phone behind the wheel, and driving without a seatbelt. This was reported by The National citing a police statement. According to Brigadier General Juma Salem bin Suwaidan, Director of Dubai Police's General Department of Traffic, the existing systems use artificial intelligence and advanced technologies that make it possible to accurately record violations, including behavior that is difficult for regular patrols to spot. The expansion of the camera network is intended to detect dangerous driving more effectively as part of efforts to reduce accidents.

Distracted driving and driver responsibility

Bin Suwaidan called distracted driving one of the most dangerous actions on the road: phone calls, browsing social media, or reading messages take away a driver's attention and leave too little time to react. Even a few seconds of distraction, he said, can prevent a driver from reacting to a car braking suddenly, a pedestrian, or a change in road conditions.

Fine amounts and the goals of enhanced enforcement

Using a phone or being distracted behind the wheel carries a fine of 800 dirhams (about 217 dollars), while not wearing a seatbelt carries a fine of 700 dirhams. The police stressed that fines are meant to discourage dangerous driving and motivate drivers to take responsibility for their own safety and the safety of those around them. Bin Suwaidan warned that strict measures would be applied to drivers who repeatedly break the rules or drive dangerously. He named the goal of enhanced monitoring as changing driving habits and preventing accidents: smart systems and patrols will continue to identify violators and take the necessary legal measures. Drivers were advised to put their phones away, make sure everyone in the car is buckled up, and keep a safe distance.