SINGAPORE \u2013 The Traffic Police (TP) are planning to use artificial intelligence to identify traffic violations, allowing them to dish out penalties and summonses more quickly.<\/p>\n
TP now receives about 3,000 videos monthly of alleged traffic violations submitted by the public.<\/p>\n
But owing to the deteriorating road traffic situation<\/span><\/a>, there have been more such submissions.<\/p>\n An AI-powered video analytics tool called Traffic Rule Analysis and Compliance Recognition (TRACER) is an example of how the police will be using AI in its operations, said Second Minister for Home Affairs Edwin Tong.<\/p>\n Speaking at the Police Workplan Seminar 2026 held at the Home Team Academy on May 22, he said technology is necessary for the Singapore Police Force (SPF) to stay ahead of threats with limited manpower.<\/p>\n Second Minister for Home Affairs Edwin Tong speaking at the Police Workplan Seminar 2026 held at the Home Team Academy on May 22.<\/p>\n ST PHOTO: BRIAN TEO<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n He said TRACER is being progressively rolled out, and can automatically identify traffic violations in footage submitted by the public, pinpointing their exact timestamp within the recordings.<\/p>\n He said: \u201cThis allows the officers to process cases faster, and deal with the offending drivers faster as well.<\/p>\n \u201cThese tools enhance the efficiency as well as the effectiveness of SPF\u2019s investigations. Not by replacing the judgment of our officers, but really by sharpening it and freeing up the officers to focus on what only a human officer can do.\u201d<\/p>\n The increase in public video submissions has caused a backlog of cases, as there are only about 10 officers who spend around 60 hours daily examining the videos.<\/p>\n The current version of TRACER can detect offences such as crossing double white lines, driving across road dividers, driving on the centre divider of the expressway, running red lights and failing to give way to pedestrians.<\/p>\n It is being developed to also detect those who fail to signal, fail to give way to approaching vehicles and fail to form up correctly.<\/p>\n Officers can review the key moments in the videos instead of watching the entire clip each time, allowing them to process cases faster and issue notices to offending drivers earlier.<\/p>\n There are plans to have TRACER detect careless driving and failure to obey directional signs.<\/p>\n Roads in Singapore are at their most dangerous in years, with traffic deaths hitting a 10-year high of 149 in 2025 compared with 141 in 2016. There were 142 deaths in 2024.<\/p>\n The number of injured people also increased from 9,342 in 2024 to 9,955 in 2025.<\/p>\n As a result, TP has stepped up enforcement, including activating the speed enforcement function<\/span><\/a> in more red-light cameras.<\/p>\n Superintendent of Police Lian Weixiong, head of TP\u2019s Research, Planning and Organisational Development Branch, said TP plans to begin trials of TRACER in the second half of 2026.<\/p>\n He said it will be used on videos submitted by the public, with oversight from officers.<\/p>\n He added: \u201cInvestigation officers will still have oversight of the cases and make the final decision.<\/p>\n \u201cTRACER aims to help us process the submissions more efficiently by reducing case processing time by at least half, so we can act on reports faster and get to the offending motorists sooner.\u201d<\/p>\n People can report traffic violations via the e-service on the police website at https:\/\/www.police.gov.sg\/E-Services<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n They must have witnessed the traffic violation and must be willing to testify in court if required.<\/p>\n They should also ensure video quality is clear enough for the culprit to be identified.<\/p>\n At the event on May 22, Mr Tong also launched the Home Team SkyGuardian drones<\/span><\/a> and drone box system, which will be used in operations by the police and the Singapore Civil Defence Force.<\/p>\n For a start, eight sets of the 40kg drones will be used for patrols in areas such as Tuas and Brani.<\/p>\n While the drones have pre-planned flight routes, there will still be an operator for remote operations.<\/p>\n The Home Team SkyGuardian drones and drone box system will be used in operations by the police and the Singapore Civil Defence Force.<\/p>\n ST PHOTO: BRIAN TEO<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n Mr Tong also spoke about other robotics technologies on display, such as the new unmanned surface vessel being trialled by the Police Coast Guard.<\/p>\n The 13m-long vessel has been deployed in the West Johor Strait since November 2025 for patrol and surveillance operations.<\/p>\n It can reach speeds of up to 40 knots and can operate for up to 15 hours at a time.<\/p>\n The 13m-long unmanned surface vessel has been deployed in the West Johor Strait since November 2025 for patrol and surveillance operations.<\/p>\n PHOTO: SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n Other technologies on display included SPF\u2019s new humanoid robot for community engagement, a new patrol robot to be deployed in more terminals at Changi Airport from 2027, and the AI Report Lodging Co-Pilot, or R-COP<\/span><\/a>.<\/p>\n Mr Tong said the SPF\u2019s commitment to being grounded while looking to the future is what will ensure it continues to keep Singapore safe and secure.<\/p>\n He said: \u201cIt is easy to take safety and security for granted here. Not just because the SPF carries out its mission well year after year, but also because it is always looking ahead to see what\u2019s on the horizon, and transforms and adapts accordingly to meet the evolving threat landscape.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/picture><\/div>
<\/picture><\/div>
<\/picture><\/div>