Bangalore AI traffic cameras wrongfully fine drivers

AI-equipped traffic cameras in Bangalore and other parts of Karnataka, India, came under fire due to a series of wrongful fines issued to drivers, particularly for seatbelt violations. 

Numerous drivers in several cities, including Bengaluru and Mysuru, complained that they have been issued with fines ("challans") for no good reason. 

It transpired that AI traffic cameras are struggling to distinguish between seatbelts and clothing of similar colours, leading to false violations, with dDrivers wearing dark shirts or those with light-coloured seatbelts particularly affected by the errors.

Mysuru Police Commissioner Seema Ladkar acknowledged the problem and stated that efforts are underway to improve the technology. Meantime, the Bengaluru Additional Traffic Commissioner claimed the issue had been largely resolved since December 2023.

According to officials, the AI system now requires the manual validation of flagged offences before challans are issued. Challans can be appealed, and wrongfully issued challans from December 2022 to November 2023 are being deleted.

They also said they are working to refine the AI technology and improve its accuracy in detecting actual traffic violations.

News, commentary, analysis 🗞️

• https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/auto/bengalurus-ai-traffic-cameras-wrongfully-fining-drivers-despite-seat-belt-compliance/articleshow/112656690.cms#:~:text=Bengaluru's%20introduction%20of%20AI%20cameras,been%20reported%20in%20other%20states.

• https://www.cartoq.com/car-news/ai-cameras-bengaluru-false-tickets-color-seatbelt/

• https://newstrailindia.com/inner.php?id=22724

• https://www.deccanherald.com/india/karnataka/bengaluru/we-revalidate-ai-fines-manually-traffic-chief-3143451

• https://www.oneindia.com/bengaluru/ai-traffic-camera-errors-in-bengaluru-fixed-through-manual-review-by-cops-how-to-dispute-fines-3903061.html