Metro Police CCTV Unit records 2 809 traffic offences thanks to state-of-the-art technology

The City of Cape Town’s Metro Police CCTV Unit is employing innovative new technology to nab traffic offenders on the city’s main routes.

Between October 2011 and January 2012, 2 809 traffic violations with a monetary value of R1 576 150,00 were detected using CCTV footage.

Manually obtained video footage is being used to detect traffic violations at locations such as the N2 in-bound, the M5 and the N7, with particular focus on barrier line and MyCiTi bus lane offences. During the afore-mentioned period, 1 086 barrier line offences and 885 violations relating to the unlawful use of the MyCiTi bus lane were recorded.

According to the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, Alderman J.P. Smith, the newly established unit uses video footage at selected locations, and all offences are then captured for further processing.

“All video recordings are noted on a field sheet which is submitted to Syntel – a private company responsible for processing the fines,” said Alderman Smith.

People who receive a fine can request to view the footage of the offence after they have received the first notice.