The MONOcam is a smart camera developed by the Dutch police. This camera can recognize drivers holding a phone. As soon as a (truck) passes by with the driver holding a phone, the camera gives a hit. An officer still needs to process this data. Distraction from mobile phones is also one of the main causes of accidents in Germany. Others include: excessive speed, alcohol and drug use, ignoring red lights or red crosses, and antisocial driving behavior.

Traffic Safety Core Task of German Police

The Dutch police has had twenty MONOcams for traffic monitoring since 2020. A few years ago, German colleagues already tested the MONOcam. However, for permanent use, the law had to be amended. This has now happened. Rhineland-Palatinate can now be the first state to deploy the MONOcam. Traffic safety is an essential asset and a central part of domestic security, says Friedel Durben, inspector of the Rhineland-Palatinate police. Traffic safety - especially combating the main causes of accidents - is a core task of the police. I am very pleased that we, as part of the cooperation with our Dutch colleagues, can now use a technology in Rhineland-Palatinate for the automated monitoring of distraction violations. I would like to thank the Dutch police for this! This cross-border police cooperation in traffic safety is excellent and should serve as an example for further projects.

Sharing Innovations

Willybert Oor, national traffic portfolio holder: As a council member in Roadpol (editors note: European network of traffic police services), I have made arrangements to make this innovation available to our colleagues. Therefore, the Dutch police shares the knowledge and technology of the MONOcam with the German Polizei. They can then build their own MONOcams and adapt them to their own needs for traffic monitoring.