Singapore Police to deploy AI system to speed up traffic offence investigations and enforcement

Singapore’s Traffic Police (TP) are preparing to roll out an artificial intelligence-powered system designed to identify traffic violations from public-submitted videos, allowing officers to process cases faster and issue penalties more quickly.

The system, known as Traffic Rule Analysis and Compliance Recognition (Tracer), was unveiled during the Police Workplan Seminar 2026 at the Home Team Academy on 22 May 2026.

According to state media The Straits Times, Second Minister for Home Affairs Edwin Tong said the technology forms part of broader efforts by the Singapore Police Force (SPF) to strengthen operational efficiency while managing manpower constraints and increasingly complex threats.

Currently, TP receives around 3,000 videos every month from members of the public reporting alleged traffic offences.

Authorities said the growing number of submissions, coupled with worsening road safety conditions, has contributed to a backlog of investigations.

According to TP, around 10 officers currently spend a combined 60 hours daily reviewing footage manually.

Tong said Tracer is being progressively introduced and can automatically identify traffic violations in submitted footage while pinpointing the exact timestamp of the alleged offence.

“This allows the officers to process cases faster, and deal with the offending drivers faster as well,” he said.

“These tools enhance the efficiency as well as the effectiveness of SPF’s investigations. Not by replacing the judgement of our officers, but really by sharpening it and freeing up the officers to focus on what only a human officer can do.”

How the AI system works

The present version of Tracer can identify several common traffic offences, including crossing double white lines, driving across road dividers, driving on the centre divider of expressways, red-light running and failing to give way to pedestrians.

Authorities are also developing additional capabilities for the system. Planned upgrades include the ability to detect motorists who fail to signal, fail to give way to approaching vehicles and fail to form up correctly while driving.

There are also plans for Tracer to identify careless driving and violations involving failure to comply with directional signs.

Instead of requiring officers to watch entire recordings, the system highlights the relevant portions of submitted footage for review. Authorities said this would significantly shorten investigation times and allow notices to be issued earlier.

Superintendent of Police Lian Weixiong, head of TP’s Research, Planning and Organisational Development Branch, said trials are expected to begin in the second half of 2026.

He said Tracer would initially be used for analysing videos submitted by members of the public and would continue operating under human supervision.

“Investigation officers will still have oversight of the cases and make the final decision,” he said.

“Tracer 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.”

Rising road safety concerns

The introduction of the AI system comes as Singapore faces its deadliest road conditions in a decade.

Traffic fatalities reached 149 deaths in 2025, the highest figure recorded in 10 years. By comparison, there were 142 traffic deaths in 2024 and 141 deaths in 2016.

The number of people injured in traffic accidents also increased, rising from 9,342 in 2024 to 9,955 in 2025.

Authorities said the worsening road safety situation has prompted stronger enforcement measures across the island.

Among the measures already introduced is the activation of speed enforcement functions in more red-light cameras.

TP said members of the public can continue submitting reports of traffic offences through the police e-service portal.

Those making reports must have personally witnessed the alleged offence and must be willing to testify in court if necessary. Authorities also advised that submitted footage should be sufficiently clear for offending motorists to be identified.

Expansion of police technology

The seminar also showcased a broader push by the SPF and Home Team agencies to integrate advanced technologies into frontline operations.

Tong launched the new Home Team SkyGuardian drones and drone box system, which will be jointly deployed by the police and the Singapore Civil Defence Force.

Initially, eight sets of the 40kg drones will be deployed for patrol operations in areas including Tuas and Brani.

Although the drones are equipped with pre-planned flight routes, authorities said remote operators would continue overseeing operations.

The event also featured the Police Coast Guard’s new Unmanned Surface Vessel, which has been undergoing patrol and surveillance operations in the West Johor Strait since November 2025.

The 13m-long vessel can travel at speeds of up to 40 knots and operate continuously for up to 15 hours.

Other technologies displayed included a humanoid robot designed for community engagement, a new patrol robot expected to be deployed at more terminals in Changi Airport from 2027, and the AI Report Lodging Co-Pilot, known as R-Cop.

Tong said SPF’s continued investment in emerging technologies was aimed at ensuring Singapore remains prepared for future security challenges.

“It 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’s on the horizon, and transforms and adapts accordingly to meet the evolving threat landscape.”