The Minister said: until the end of the year, fines will be applied in only four cases

The Minister of Construction and Transport, Erhan Arıklı, commented on the introduction of artificial intelligence camera systems, which have sparked active public discussion. He stated that until the end of the year, fines will only be applied in four areas.

Arıklı explained that the cameras will start operating on August 16 and will record violations related exclusively to speed, seatbelt use, phone use while driving, and car insurance. According to his statement, all other violations will not be fined until the end of the year — instead, drivers will receive only warnings. According to the minister, the new measures are intended as a gradual transition toward full implementation of the cameras after legal preparation.

He also noted: “Artificial intelligence cameras are not intended to increase the state budget, but to save human lives.” Arıklı expressed gratitude to Turkey for providing the systems free of charge and emphasized that the state did not incur any costs: “Even the software alone is worth 5 million euros, but everything was given to us for free. Praise be to Allah.”

Responding to critics of the camera placement, the minister said that they were installed in the same locations previously used by old equipment. He added that the Constitutional Court allowed their operation. Arıklı also emphasized that those who follow traffic rules have no reason to worry: “If you follow the speed limit and the rules — the cameras will not fine you.”

The minister also announced plans to expand the system: currently, there are 150 cameras, and by the end of the year their number will increase to 300. Next year, another 300 cameras are expected to be purchased, bringing the total to 600. This will allow full control over road traffic, according to Arıklı: in the past year and a half, about 80 people have died in road accidents, and it is difficult to establish control otherwise.

As part of the preparation for implementing the system, warning signs are being developed to inform drivers about monitoring. In addition, the possibility of raising the maximum speed limit on certain sections from 100 to 120 km/h is being discussed — the decision will be made by the road commission.