What to Know
- AI technology helps law enforcement agencies enforce traffic laws more efficiently, freeing officers to focus on higher-priority tasks and community engagement.
- Automated systems analyze traffic patterns and detect violations in real-time, enabling proactive measures to prevent accidents and improve compliance.
- Command staff recognize the operational benefits of automation, including increased efficiency, reduced liability, and data-driven decision-making.
Artificial intelligence has begun to take hold in just about every sector of law enforcement. From report writing to investigations and emergency dispatch, the technology has shown to be a great asset for agencies that seek efficiency but continually grapple with shortages in both manpower and budgets.
Data has long been at the crux of solving traffic enforcement issues, assisting in finding fixes that both alleviate problems and keep the public and officers on the streets safer. Through the use of AI-driven software solutions, law enforcement agencies can better improve road safety and compliance, as well as build public trust through transparency.
OFFICER Magazine recently reached out to Edward Tiedje, Vice President of Sales — Government Solutions at Verra Mobility. Tiedje is a former officer with 20-plus years of experience in executing automated enforcement programs, including AI-specific technology. He shared how AI technology can support human judgment in enhancing traffic safety for law enforcement agencies and detailed how it can be used as a force multiplier.
How can software solutions help agencies with traffic enforcement?
Automated enforcement programs provide law enforcement agencies with technology-forward tools to enforce traffic laws more efficiently and accurately, while also freeing up valuable time for officers to focus on more serious crimes. They reduce the need for manual monitoring, allowing officers to focus on higher-priority tasks, enabling broader coverage with reduced effort. These programs have also been shown to improve driver behavior by creating a consistent and impartial enforcement process, which ultimately enhances road safety and reduces violations.
What role does artificial intelligence play in improving road safety and compliance?
Automated enforcement technology continues to improve, and AI now enables smarter enforcement by analyzing traffic patterns, detecting violations in real-time, and even predicting high-risk areas to better target enforcement strategies. Algorithms can learn from real-world traffic data, enabling systems to continuously improve. This proactive approach allows agencies to allocate resources effectively and prevent accidents before they occur. AI also ensures accuracy in violation detection, reducing disputes and increasing public confidence in enforcement programs
How is automation becoming a force multiplier in traffic enforcement?
Automation allows agencies to broaden their reach without increasing personnel. Instead of relying solely on officers in the field, automated systems handle routine enforcement tasks, from speed violations to illegal school bus passings. This frees officers to focus on community engagement and crime prevention, making enforcement more strategic and impactful. It also ensures consistent enforcement while providing comprehensive evidence packages of each potential violation, minimizing disputes.
What has the buy-in been from command staff?
Command staff often recognize the operational benefits of automated enforcement — these programs are no longer viewed as an optional benefit but are instead becoming a standard part of how many departments operate. Agencies witness firsthand how programs enhance efficiency, reduce liability, and improve public safety without straining budgets. Many leaders appreciate that these solutions provide measurable results and data-driven insights for better decision-making.
In addition, law enforcement often plays a critical role in the citation process, with most programs requiring that every potential violation be reviewed by someone at the department prior to a citation being issued. When it comes to enforcement programs, automated doesn’t mean unchecked. Officers still look at each incident to ensure it meets the legal and program criteria before it’s issued.
What has the buy-in been from officers on the street?
Initially, there can be skepticism, but most officers come to appreciate automated enforcement tools when they see how they reduce routine stops and improve safety for both officers and community members. Automated enforcement programs reduce the time officers spend outside their vehicles in potentially high-conflict situations, freeing up time to focus on more complex policing duties.
What role has age played in acceptance among law enforcement?
Younger officers, having grown up as digital natives, tend to embrace and understand technology more quickly, while older generations of officers may take longer to adapt. Training and clear communication enable all officers to gain a deeper understanding of technology tools, allowing them to be utilized effectively. In addition, learning how automated enforcement supports — not replaces – their roles helps to increase acceptance, and shows officers how technology can become an essential part of their day-to-day work.
How can agencies build public trust?
Transparency and public education are critical in gaining and maintaining community trust and support. Automated enforcement operations can vary significantly by jurisdiction, so ensuring the public understands how the program works and why it’s being implemented is crucial. However, this is becoming easier as automated enforcement is gaining popularity among the public, with more than half of Americans supporting automated safety programs. This support skyrockets when it comes to protecting vulnerable populations, such as children, with 77% supporting automated enforcement in school zones, and 96% supporting it for the safety of school buses.
While some members of the public may be wary of AI use in enforcement, clear communication about privacy and cybersecurity, as well as education on the benefits of AI in improving violation accuracy and improving policing strategy, can help build trust.
About the Author
Paul Peluso
Editor
Paul Peluso is the Managing Editor of OFFICER Magazine and has been with the Officer Media Group since 2006. He began as an Associate Editor, writing and editing content for Officer.com. Previously, Paul worked as a reporter for several newspapers in the suburbs of Baltimore, MD.