AI camera captures cops driving without seatbelt: Fine issued [Video]

The Kerala Government installed 726 AI cameras on National and State Highways earlier this year. These cameras were placed across the state as part of the Safe Kerala Project. However, controversies arose regarding this new system upon its implementation. The cameras are tasked with monitoring vehicles for various offenses and automatically generating challans. Recently, an image of a Kerala Police vehicle, with officials not wearing seat belts, went viral on the internet. Subsequently, a challan was issued for the violation captured by the camera.

The video was uploaded by “Modz own country” on their Instagram page. It displays a Chevrolet Tavera Neo SUV on the road, although the exact location of the sighting remains unknown. This Chevrolet Tavera, bearing the registration number KL01 BK 5117, is an official vehicle used by the police and registered under the name of the State Police Chief. All vehicles used by the force are registered under his name as they are considered the property of the police force.

The picture was taken by an AI camera, revealing the person in the co-passenger seat not wearing a seat belt. The initial image, captured during the day, shows the driver wearing a seat belt. However, in the subsequent nighttime capture of the same SUV, the driver is also observed without a seat belt.

Driving a car without wearing a seat belt is an offense, and law enforcement officers can issue a challan for this violation. It’s not only a violation but also extremely dangerous. There have been several instances in the past where individuals escaped with minor injuries from accidents solely because they were wearing a seat belt. The challan is issued by the Kerala Motor Vehicle Department, while the individuals in the car are officers from the Kerala Police.

These are two distinct departments. The MVD has encountered issues in the past for imposing fines on other government departments. Initially, when the AI cameras were installed, it was announced that emergency vehicles were exempt from fines. However, it appears that the exemption was solely for overspeeding. Earlier this year, Kerala MVD and Kerala State Electricity Board were embroiled in a dispute where the MVD issued fines against KSEB employees for rule violations. KSEB responded by cutting off electricity connections to MVD offices, citing pending electricity bills.

In this instance, a challan has been issued against officers from the police department, and as of now, the department has not responded to it. After conducting an online search using the registration number of the Chevrolet Tavera seen in the video, it was found that the SUV has around 11 pending challans against it since June 2023.

There is a growing trend where people share images taken by AI cameras online. Recently, a biker from Kerala was fined Rs 86,500 for 155 violations. This marked the highest AI camera fine issued in the state to date. AI camera also faced several issues where it wrongfully issued challans to vehicles. According to reports, the number of accidents and deaths in Kerala has decreased by 50 percent after the installation of these cameras.