Quezon City rolls out no-contact apprehension scheme

MANILA, Philippines — State-of-the-art cameras equipped with artificial intelligence will be enforcing the no-contact apprehension policy in Quezon City as the remote traffic violation monitoring system was launched yesterday.

Mayor Joy Belmonte said AI-powered cameras would be capturing, photographing and recording conduction stickers and license plates of vehicles violating traffic regulations along the city’s major thoroughfares.

Belmonte said the system would also help ease traffic congestion.

“Road safety is our priority in Quezon City and with the launching of the no-contact apprehension policy, we commit to putting the safety of our constituents and motorists by strictly enforcing local traffic rules at all times,” she said.

“Erring drivers are not allowed in the city. We do not intend to rake in revenues for the city government. If there are no people arrested for traffic violations, it means all motorists are disciplined,” she added.

Belmonte said when the cameras detect traffic violations, the system would generate a Notice of Violation to be sent to the local government units for review and approval. The NOV is composed of a time-stamped photograph of the vehicle during the commission of the traffic infraction and other corresponding details.

Once approved, the NOV will be delivered to the residence of the registered owner of the vehicle within 14 days. Traffic violators will be given 30 days to pay their fines.

Fines will not be imposed on traffic violators during the 30-day dry run of the program.

After the dry run, traffic violators will be fined up to P5,000 depending on the frequency and type of violation, according to the local government.

Department of Public Order and Safety chief Elmo San Diego said the program would be beneficial in the enforcement of traffic rules for motorists and would limit face-to-face interaction.