Traffic Directorate Announces New Procedures for Electronic Fine Documentation and Enforcement Regulation

The Director General of Traffic, Lieutenant General Adi Samir, announced on Saturday new measures to regulate traffic fine enforcement and electronic documentation. These include a binding directive for officers to immediately photograph violations, safeguarding citizen rights, and contracting for portable cameras for personnel. Lt. Gen. Samir stated, in a press declaration, that there is noticeable flexibility and tolerance in addressing minor violations, whether directly by the Director General or by legally authorized officers and personnel on the street. He added that this directive responds to citizen appeals, imposing a strict rule for traffic officers to photograph violations via phone or portable camera immediately upon issuing a fine. This aims to provide fixed, recorded digital evidence, eliminating doubts. Regarding evidence preservation and objection review, the Director General clarified that the Directorate adopted a system to upload officers' and personnel's camera content to main servers daily. This data will be reviewed and used as conclusive evidence for any legal objections to imposed fines. Samir further mentioned that the Ministry of Interior officially contracted to procure advanced wearable (body) cameras for officers and personnel during duty. These cameras will continuously and directly document traffic violations and daily interactions. In a related context, Major General Adi Samir affirmed that monitoring violations through cameras and digital systems is a recent culture in Iraq. He explained that the Directorate began a comprehensive awareness campaign about these cameras since early 2025, ahead of a ministerial directive to officially commence operations on the first of next July. He noted that the camera and radar system's trial phase began in five main intersections in Baghdad, evaluating smart signals and speed radars. Samir lauded the public's high response, with citizens showing early commitment to seatbelts and traffic signals, even before official activation, due to continuous tests and notifications.