Bahrain to Activate Smart Traffic Cameras from February 1, 2026

The Ministry of Interior announced that the General Directorate of Traffic will begin operating the first phase of the Smart Camera System starting February 1, 2026, following confirmation that the technical infrastructure is fully ready and capable of operating efficiently under various conditions.

In a statement, the Ministry said that intensified public awareness campaigns will be rolled out in the coming days, focusing on the key traffic violations that can be detected by the smart cameras. The initiative aims to enhance road safety and encourage greater compliance with traffic laws.

According to the Ministry, the new phase relies on real-time monitoring through an advanced surveillance system. The main violations that can be detected by the smart cameras include exceeding the speed limit, running red lights, using emergency vehicle lanes (yellow lane), using a handheld mobile phone while driving, failure of the driver or front-seat passenger to wear a seatbelt, seating a child in the front seat, failure to follow correct lanes at intersections, violating road markings (such as improper lane deviation or double-row violations at intersections), heavy vehicles not adhering to the right lane, exceeding the permitted tint level on vehicle windows, repeated lane violations, driving slowly in the left lane, and heavy vehicles operating during peak hours.

The General Directorate of Traffic has called on all citizens and residents to update their contact details through the eTraffic application or the “My Government” app to ensure that alerts and notifications are received quickly and directly. This step is intended to strengthen communication with the public and enable timely follow-up on traffic-related matters.