Motorists violating traffic rules on Dhaka-Chattogram Highway will face instant, automated penalties from 18 August, as the Highway Police roll out artificial intelligence (AI)-powered “auto-fine system” across Cumilla region.
Under this major technological upgrade, 199 AI-enabled cameras have been positioned at five critical locations across 105-kilometre stretch in Cumilla to monitor vehicle speeds and traffic movements 24 hours a day.
The automated system will instantly log violations, such as speeding and reckless driving, triggering immediate punitive actions. As one of the busiest transport arteries, this highway handles thousands of vehicles daily, with excessive speeds and reckless driving regularly causing tragic accidents.
Authorities and transport experts hope that transitioning to AI surveillance will significantly deter violators, fostering a culture of discipline and safety on the road.
Aslam Hossain, a bus driver with 20 years of experience on this highway, welcomed the initiative. He pointed out that as the cameras permanently record and store digital evidence, drivers will no longer be able to deny their traffic offences.
He added that both drivers and vehicle owners must now exercise extreme caution since fines will be collected automatically.
Another highway user, truck driver Abu Taher, agreed that driver recklessness is the primary cause for most road accidents.
He noted that round-the-clock surveillance would put an end to competitive speeding among drivers, forcing them to comply with the law.
Describing the government’s intervention as highly timely, Kazi Abdur Razzaq, founder of Society for Prevention of Accidents, highlighted that a chronic lack of awareness has historically led to frequent road deaths on this major route.
He expressed confidence that AI-powered surveillance would raise awareness and drastically reduce accident rates.
Providing details on the broader deployment, Cumilla Highway Police Superintendent Md Shahinur Alam Khan said a total of 1,427 cameras will eventually monitor Dhaka-Chattogram Highway, with 199 operating specifically within Cumilla district.
“The core objective of the initiative goes beyond penalisation and revenue collection,” he emphasised. “Our primary goal is to ensure safe, orderly, and disciplined vehicle movement across the highway”.
