Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: After detecting over 56,000 traffic violations in a single-day trial, the Goa government has announced that AI-powered traffic enforcement will officially begin issuing penalties from July 15, while simultaneously deciding to stop issuing fresh permits for Mahindra Thar vehicles under the rent-a-car scheme in a bid to improve road safety.
Transport Minister Mauvin Godinho on Monday said the automated enforcement system, whose launch has been postponed several times due to technical refinements and public awareness campaigns, will now be implemented without any further delay.
Until July 15, motorists caught violating traffic rules by AI-enabled cameras will only receive warning notifications informing them that an offence has been detected. No monetary penalties will be imposed during this awareness period.
Godinho said a trial conducted on July 4 revealed the alarming extent of traffic violations across Goa, with the AI system recording 56,536 violations in just one day. The majority of offences involved motorists failing to wear seat belts, while thousands of vehicles were found operating without valid insurance. The system also detected several other traffic violations during the exercise.
The minister said the findings underline the urgent need for technology-driven enforcement to improve compliance with traffic regulations and reduce road accidents.
To strengthen surveillance, the government will expand the AI camera network in phases. The number of monitored locations will increase from the present 26 to 52 by September, and further expand to 92 locations before the end of the year, providing wider coverage across the State.
In another significant decision aimed at enhancing road safety, the government has decided not to issue any fresh rent-a-car permits for Mahindra Thar SUVs.
Godinho said the decision follows concerns over the increasing number of accidents involving Thar vehicles. He added that if legal provisions had allowed, the government would have even considered prohibiting Thar vehicles from operating in the rent-a-car sector altogether.
The twin decisions mark the government’s latest push to strengthen traffic discipline through technology while tightening regulations in areas considered to pose higher safety risks.
