Artificial intelligence is playing an increasingly important role in keeping Dubai’s roads safe, with Dubai Police deploying smart traffic systems that can predict accident-prone locations, detect speeding vehicles in real time and help officers intervene before incidents escalate.According to a report by Khaleej Times, Dubai Police said its advanced traffic management system continuously analyses live traffic information, including vehicle volumes, speeds and movement patterns across the emirate.The system combines real-time inputs with historical traffic data to identify risky trends and locations that may require intervention.Officials said areas where excessive speeds are detected can be brought under enhanced radar coverage and targeted enforcement measures, allowing authorities to take preventive action and improve road safety.The force has also integrated AI-powered platforms capable of monitoring driver behaviour in real time. These systems are designed to learn and adapt continuously, enabling authorities to expand their use across a wider range of traffic violations.Dubai Police said the technology has also been used to develop specialised solutions for identifying vehicles that generate excessive noise and disturbance.Beyond enforcement, predictive analytics is helping authorities plan for major events, anticipate congestion and allocate traffic resources more effectively.Traffic patrols are connected to a network of cameras, monitoring systems and command centres, enabling officers to receive instant alerts on accidents, violations and traffic build-ups.The emphasis on technology comes as Dubai Police continue to crack down on dangerous driving practices. In a recent enforcement drive, police issued 4,504 fines for overtaking on the hard shoulder during the first five months of the year.Brigadier Jumaa bin Suwaidan, Acting Director of the General Department of Traffic, warned that the hard shoulder is reserved exclusively for emergencies, including stranded vehicles and emergency responders such as ambulances, civil defence teams and police patrols, Gulf News reported.“This reckless behaviour reflects not only a disregard for traffic laws but also a lack of concern for the safety of others,” he said, noting that motorists do not expect vehicles to be travelling on the hard shoulder, increasing the risk of collisions and run-over accidents.According to Dubai Police statistics, February recorded the highest number of hard-shoulder overtaking violations with 1,638 offences, followed by January with 1,379. March saw 676 violations, while May and April recorded 482 and 329 offences respectively.Dubai Police said awareness campaigns remain a key pillar of their road safety strategy alongside enforcement. Authorities believe that combining education with legal deterrence produces the best results by encouraging motorists to comply with traffic laws through both awareness and accountability.The latest push builds on Dubai Police’s broader AI roadmap. During GITEX Global 2023, the force unveiled an AI-based mechanism for processing minor traffic accidents. The system, currently under development and testing, is designed to analyse minor crashes and automatically issue accident reports to motorists without requiring manual review by a police officer.Officials said the initiative aims to speed up report issuance, reduce manual procedures by up to 50 per cent and minimise congestion caused by minor accidents.
