Athens is the latest European capital to turn to artificial intelligence for traffic enforcement, and the early results are eye opening. During a short trial, eight new AI powered cameras recorded nearly 29,000 traffic violations across key roads and intersections. Officials describe the deployment as a test period that still includes calibration and evaluation. Once that phase ends, drivers are expected to start receiving automatically generated fines.
The monitoring window ran from December 15, 2025 to January 8, 2026, which is less than a month. In that span, the cameras logged 28,973 violations, or a little more than 1,100 per day on average, according to figures shared by the Greek Ministry of Digital Governance. One unit on Syngrou Avenue alone flagged more than 8,000 drivers for not wearing a seat belt or using a phone while driving. That same camera recorded 1,028 speeding violations in an area posted at 56 mph.
At other locations, running red lights appeared to be the most common problem. A camera on Vouliagmenis Avenue recorded 13,722 cases of vehicles entering after the light turned red. Another camera on Mesogeion Avenue in the suburb of Chalandri captured 5,872 similar violations. The totals suggest that a small number of devices can dramatically expand enforcement coverage in a busy city.
What sets these systems apart is the range of behaviors they can detect without being limited to a single rule. The AI continuously analyzes traffic patterns and driver actions and can identify phone use, missing seat belts, speeding, red light violations, and even vehicles traveling in lanes reserved for buses. The equipment in Athens was supplied by the Australian company Acusensus, whose technology has also been used in the United Kingdom, Australia, and other countries. Carscoops reported that automatic fines with photo evidence are expected to follow after the calibration phase wraps up.
For drivers, the practical impact comes down to penalties that can be issued without a police stop. After evaluation, fines are expected to be sent automatically with photos that document the alleged offense. Using a phone or not buckling up carries a 350 euro penalty, which is about $411 using a recent European Central Bank reference rate. Speeding fines range from 150 to 750 euros, which is roughly $176 to $881, depending on how far over the limit a driver is recorded.
Red light violations can be even more costly and can affect a driver’s ability to stay on the road. A first offense is listed at 700 euros, about $822, and it includes a 60 day license suspension. A second offense rises to 1,000 euros, about $1,174, with a 180 day suspension, while a third offense can reach 2,000 euros, about $2,348, plus a one year driving ban. The average monthly salary in Greece is described as around 1,200 euros, or roughly $1,409, so even one serious ticket can take a big bite out of take home pay.
The rapid spread of AI enforcement also revives the privacy debate that tends to follow camera based policing. Questions include how long images and related data are stored, who can access them, and what safeguards prevent misuse. Some sources have raised concerns that constant monitoring could clash with Greek and European Union privacy rules and might be challenged in court. Even if the program remains in place, those concerns could shape how evidence is handled and how transparent the process must be.
Despite the scrutiny, the plan for Athens goes far beyond a short pilot. Authorities are expected to expand toward 2,000 fixed cameras and 500 mobile units, backed by a budget of about 93.8 million euros, or roughly $110.1 million. If that rollout happens, automated monitoring would become a routine part of driving across much of the city. Supporters argue that consistent enforcement can change habits faster than occasional patrols, especially for phone use and red light running.
More broadly, AI assisted traffic enforcement is part of a global shift toward automated compliance. Countries including the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Spain, and Australia have already used intelligent camera systems, and similar tools are increasingly common in the United States, India, China, Japan, and parts of the Middle East. These programs are often promoted as a way to improve safety while easing the burden on police resources. The common thread is software that can flag violations at scale without relying on an officer being present.
In general, these systems rely on computer vision, a field of machine learning that helps software interpret images and video. Models can be trained to spot objects and behaviors like a handheld phone or an unfastened seat belt, then pair that detection with license plate recognition so a violation can be matched to a vehicle record for processing. Many regions also build in review steps, appeals, and limits on data retention to reduce the risk of errors and over collection. As more cities adopt these tools, debates over accuracy, due process, and privacy are likely to grow right alongside expectations for safer streets.
What do you think about Athens using AI cameras to issue automatic fines, and how should cities balance road safety with privacy, share your thoughts in the comments.
