The Antigua and Barbuda government is exploring the use of its national CCTV surveillance network to automate traffic enforcement, though officials acknowledge that legislative reforms and new technology infrastructure would be required before cameras could be used to issue citations to motorists.
The proposal surfaced during Thursday's post-Cabinet media briefing, according to Antigua News Room. Director General of Communications Maurice Merchant confirmed that the concept is under active consideration after being asked whether the government had examined automated systems used in other countries — systems capable of issuing tickets for speeding and red-light violations captured on camera.
Merchant was clear, however, that implementation remains some way off. "They are under consideration," he said, while cautioning that the country is not yet ready to roll out such a system. He cited practical challenges including public acceptance and the administrative infrastructure needed to support automated enforcement.
A key prerequisite, Merchant noted, would be the creation of a robust database capable of linking camera footage to vehicle owners and generating sufficient evidentiary records to support enforcement actions. Without such a system, issuing camera-generated citations would not be legally or administratively viable.
Amendments to existing legislation would also likely be required before police could issue traffic tickets based solely on CCTV footage, without direct interaction with the offending motorist. Merchant pointed to provisions under Antigua and Barbuda's Development Control Authority legislation as a possible model — specifically, provisions under which notices are considered legally served once proof of service exists, regardless of whether the recipient claims to have received them. A similar legal framework, he suggested, could underpin an automated traffic enforcement regime.
The discussion comes amid the ongoing rollout of the government's broader national CCTV programme. Cabinet was advised this week that 42 strategic locations across Antigua and Barbuda have been selected for the installation of high-definition cameras, with work expected to be completed by the final week of August. The cameras are primarily intended to bolster crime prevention efforts and will be integrated into the Royal Police Force's existing surveillance network.
