Restrictions on food, drinks and smoking will be recorded by AI cameras

Today, at a meeting of the Transport and Communications Commission chaired by Minister Erhan Arıklı, the implementation of new AI-powered road radars was discussed. The main decision was to use these devices not only to detect speeding but also other violations: not wearing a seat belt, using a mobile phone while driving, leaving the lane or driving on the emergency lane, as well as eating, drinking and smoking inside the vehicle. A compromise point was that the cameras will only record the driver and activate video only in case of an offense — images of passengers and the surroundings will not be stored.

According to the Ministry, the recordings from such radars will be stored only at the relevant unit of the Police Headquarters. To make it easier to inform drivers about fines, notifications through state e-services and SMS alerts are planned. In addition, the possibility of blocking or pre-reserving funds on credit cards of rental car drivers is being considered.

The Commission also decided to introduce a special marking for new drivers: similar to the “L” sign for learners, for two years after obtaining a license such drivers will be required to display a special sign on their vehicles.