AI traffic cameras hit the roads of Attica – More than 1,000 violations recorded in four days

The initial results from the launch of the pilot camera system in Attica are striking. From Tuesday through Friday, the camera installed on Syngrou Avenue recorded over 1,000 violations involving mobile phone use and failure to wear a seatbelt.

In addition, around 800 speeding violations were detected in a section where the maximum speed limit is 90 km/h. Other serious violations include 480 red-light violations at the Mesogeion–Chalandri junction and 285 at the Vouliagmenis–Tinou junction.

The pilot installation of cameras, as part of efforts to enhance road safety, began last week at eight high-risk locations in Attica, following recommendations by the Hellenic Police (EL.AS.). These are the first artificial intelligence (AI) cameras to be installed on the roads of Attica, as part of a project under the Ministry of Digital Governance. In the coming period, they will be interconnected with the existing Traffic Police system.

The eight locations where the AI cameras are operating on a pilot basis (and which are owned exclusively by the Ministry of Digital Governance) include sites in the Municipality of Athens on Panepistimiou Street and Vasilissis Sofias Avenue, the Municipality of Agia Paraskevi on Mesogeion Avenue and Chalandri Avenue, as well as areas such as Rafina and Kallithea. In summary, the locations are:

• Municipality of Athens – Panepistimiou Street and Vasilissis Sofias Avenue
• Municipality of Agia Paraskevi – Mesogeion Avenue and Chalandri Avenue
• Municipality of Rafina–Pikermi – Marathonos Avenue and Fleming Street
• Municipality of Kallithea – Syngrou Avenue and Agias Fotinis Street
• Municipality of Vari–Voula–Vouliagmeni – Poseidonos Avenue and Ermou Street
• Municipality of Alimos – Poseidonos Avenue and Alimou Avenue
• Municipality of Elliniko–Argyroupoli – Vouliagmenis Avenue and Tinou Street
• Municipality of Filothei–Psychiko – Kifisias Avenue and Ethnikis Antistaseos Street

Papastergiou on AI cameras: “They are visible and operate under clear rules”

“With the road safety reform, we are consciously choosing to move from words to action. This is one of the priorities of the government of Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and a political decision with a clear social focus: to reduce road accidents and save human lives. We have already launched a pilot program with the installation of cameras at eight high-risk locations in Attica, which record critical and demonstrably dangerous violations such as excessive speed, running red lights, mobile phone use, and failure to wear seatbelts and helmets. The cameras are visible, operate under clear rules, and aim to deter violations. This first intervention is organically linked to the next major step of the reform: the creation of the ‘Unified Electronic System for Recording and Managing Violations’,” said Minister of Digital Governance Dimitris Papastergiou.

“This is a system that will unify, cross-check and digitally manage violations quickly and transparently, putting an end to delays and fragmentation of the past. We are not adopting a punitive approach. On the contrary, together with the Ministries of Infrastructure and Transport and Citizen Protection, we are investing in prevention and in changing driving behavior. We want citizens to know that the rules apply to everyone and are enforced in a fair and modern way,” he added.

These cameras, along with others once the tender process is clarified, will be integrated into the information system that is expected to become operational by Easter.

Through the cameras, serious violations of the Highway Code will be recorded, including running red lights, speeding, failure to wear seatbelts, use of mobile phones while driving, as well as driving in emergency lanes.

The intensified checks aim to prevent road accidents and raise public awareness about road safety.

The central pillar of the reform is the creation of the Unified Electronic System for Recording and Managing Violations (EHS), under the supervision of the Ministry of Digital Governance. This system will interconnect inspection data from portable devices and surveillance cameras, enabling automated recording and processing of violations.

The data will include images, video and time metadata, transmitted in encrypted form to protect personal data. Citizens will be informed of violations via their digital mailbox on gov.gr or through messages and will be able to submit electronic appeals.

The new camera network will eventually reach a total of 2,500 cameras, with 2,000 installed at fixed high-risk locations and 500 on public transport buses to monitor bus lanes. The Region of Attica will also install 388 cameras, which will be integrated into the EHS, along with those already operating on the Attiki Odos motorway.

It is also noted that advanced AI-powered license plate recognition technology will enable the categorization of violations and contribute to faster identification of offenders. Similarly, the digital suspension of driving licenses will be carried out immediately upon the recording of violations, enhancing the sense of safety on the roads.