Should traffic fines be reduced now that AI cameras are everywhere?

On many major roads in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi, the "invisible eyes" of AI cameras are now monitoring every vehicle movement.

The newly installed system can detect violations such as running red lights, driving in the wrong lane, using a phone while driving, and failing to wear a seat belt, before automatically transmitting data to a central processing center. Since its rollout in early September, thousands of violations have been recorded.

From a positive standpoint, this technology marks a major step forward in maintaining traffic order. It never tires and operates day and night. But this raises an interesting question: now that the detection of traffic violations has become almost certain, should penalties remain as high as when enforcement still depended on human officers?

Traffic cameras on a street in Hanoi. Photo by VnExpress/Phuong Son

If someone is fined VND300,000 (US$11.38) but knows that "everyone who breaks the law will also be fined" thanks to AI cameras, they may accept it more easily than being fined millions while watching others "get away with it."

I believe smaller but consistently enforced fines would be more effective. Only then will deterrence truly work. In behavioral science and economics, it has been shown that people fear being caught more than being heavily punished. The perception that one "might get away with it" encourages rule-breaking, while knowing they will definitely be caught, even with a moderate penalty, can change behavior.

In the past, traffic enforcement relied on the physical presence of officers. Heavy fines were necessary because the chance of being caught was low. Out of hundreds of thousands of daily violations, only a small portion was penalized, so high penalties served as a deterrent.

Now that AI cameras operate 24/7, the likelihood of being caught is nearly 100%. Every time a driver runs a red light or turns in the wrong lane, the system records it and automatically sends the data to the control center. This transparency and certainty of detection alone serve as a powerful deterrent.

Previously, strict laws compensated for weak surveillance. Today, with advanced monitoring, regulations can afford to be more flexible. Light but certain fines, small penalties with no exceptions, could ensure that no one dares to take the risk of breaking the law.

*Readers' opinions are personal and do not necessarily match VnExpress' viewpoints.