Technology is slowly but surely taking over the world so much that we’re becoming increasingly reliant on it for our day to day activities.
Singapore’s law enforcement is no exception:
NEA To Trial Using Video Analytics To Catch Smokers in 2020
Before I get into the topic at hand, let me run through with you some background information.
The National Environmental Agency (NEA) announced that more than 4,000 tickets were handed out in 2019 to smokers who were caught smoking outside the designated smoking areas in Orchard Road.
Lest you’re unaware, smoking at Orchard Road outside of designated areas was banned from 1 January 2019.
The probation period for the law which “gives members of the public sufficient time to adjust” ended on 31 March 2019.
The designated areas refer to yellow boxes that smokers have to squeeze in to light up.
That’s right.
Thereafter, those caught breaking the law will face either composition fines of $200 or up to $1,000 court fines.
Out of the 4,000 tickets issued, 26% of them were issued to tourists. A daily average of 21 tickets was handed out but fell to around 14 tickets a day between 1 May and 31 December.
NEA said, “This is a more than 50 times reduction since the start of Orchard Road No Smoking Zone, and a one-third reduction since enforcement began on April 2019.”
This reduction can be interpreted as an increased awareness of Orchard Road as a No Smoking Zone.
Using Video Analytics To Catch Smokers
Now if you are still trying to sneak a puff outside of the designated areas while keeping a lookout for enforcement officers, here’s a piece of advice: Don’t.
NEA is now using surveillance cameras to keep watch on hotspots at selected areas along the No Smoking Zone.
But that’s not all.
In 2019, a two-week trial on the feasibility of using video analytics to spot smoking in public areas showed that it was 80% accurate.
More trials will be conducted during the first half of 2020 at other none smoking areas in Singapore and hotspots to ascertain its feasibility of being implemented as an enforcement measure.
You could liken it to the speed cameras on the expressways, but this time, they’ll be for smokers who flout the new regulations.
Personally, I think it’s better to be safe than sorry. Just smoke in the yellow box so your wife won’t nag at you about the $200 you wasted to pay for the fine.
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