Dubai to put surveillance cameras on taxis

Taxi signage. File photo

Dubai is taking a step toward passenger and driver safety by ordering the installation of surveillance cameras on all taxis in the city.

According to Gulf News, around 9,500 cabs would be equipped with cameras, which will be closely monitored by the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA).

A trial phase was conducted earlier this year by putting cameras on a select batch of taxis. The safety measure will be mandatory all drivers by early 2018.

“We have successfully completed the trial and we found the cameras useful in improving operational efficiency. We are now in talks with all the franchises to begin the installation of the cameras which will be done in phases over the next year,” RTA director Adel Shakeri was quoted as saying in the report.

The cameras will reportedly focus on the drivers’ behavior and fatigue levels, but not on the passengers for their privacy.

“The surveillance system will have each taxi equipped with three tiny cameras, one installed near the central mirror of the vehicles, covering only the driver, while the other two are set up at the front and rear of the taxi, externally. None of the cameras will show the passengers,” Shakeri disclosed.

Also, each unit will not relay live feed and will only be connected to police authorities whenever there is the need to download the footage.

Furthermore, Shakeri insisted that the close surveillance would also benefit the drivers, when it comes to finding proof in case of disputes.

“The system will have technology to detect fatigue levels of drivers, but in the first phase we are primarily looking into using it as an operational tool. This will in a way help taxi drivers prove their innocence when they face complaints against them,” he said.

The observatory cameras are the latest in a series of enhancements implemented on Dubai’s growing fleet of taxis. The RTA also announced it would be adding  interactive LCD screens and free WiFi on some units.  Khristian Ibarrola/rga