New AI cameras on UK roads will now catch drivers breaking the law

You could face a hefty fine if you're snapped by one of these

The cameras are engineered to capture drivers using their mobile phone at the wheel and those not wearing seatbelts. These are both considered "key factors" in road accidents.

The devices are being rolled out by National Highways and police forces to a number of areas across the UK as part of an ongoing trial.

According to tech company Acusensus, which built the cameras, the devices will "provide automated recognition of drivers using mobile phones while driving in order to enforce traffic safety laws intended to prevent distracted driving".

Police forces in Durham, Humberside, Staffordshire, West Mercia, Northamptonshire, Wiltshire, Norfolk, Thames Valley and Sussex have all agreed to take part in the trial. The cameras came into operation from September 2 in some areas, such as Greater Manchester, and the trial will run until March 2025

The cameras use an AI software called 'Heads Up', which was first trialled by National Highways in 2021. The tech captures two photos of the driver: one from a shallow angle to see if the driver has a phone to their ear, and another from a deeper angle to work out if they're texting.

These photos is run through AI to work out if someone is using their phone while driving or is not wearing their seatbelt, before then being checked by a human to double-check the footage.

If the human confirms an offence has been committed, the driver will be issued with a penalty charge. However, if no offence has been committed then the images are immediately deleted.

Fines for an adult not wearing a seatbelt are £100, and £500 if a child in the car is not wearing a seatbelt.

Meanwhile, you could get six points on your license and a £200 fine if you're caught using your phone behind the wheel.

If taken to court, the fine can rise to a maximum of £1,000.

According to the Department for Transport, some 400,000 drivers a year still use a mobile device behind the wheel. Using a mobile device whilst driving makes you four times more likely to be in a crash.

"By utilising this state-of-the-art technology provided by Acusensus, we hope to gain a better understanding of how many drivers break the law in this way, whilst also helping to reduce these dangerous driving practices and make our roads safer for everyone."

The cameras have proved to be effective in the past, During one 72-hour period where they were in use on the A30 near Launceston in Devon, they caught 117 people using their mobile phones and another 130 people not wearing a seatbelt.

Meanwhile, Hampshire Constabulary and Thames Valley Police captured almost 500 offences in just a week with a van using AI cameras.

Rod Dennis, RAC road safety spokesman, said: "Despite the penalties for using a handheld phone having doubled to six penalty points and a £200 fine seven years ago, it's clear far too many drivers are still prepared to put lives at risk by engaging in this dangerous practice.

"We suspect a major reason for this is a lack of enforcement, meaning many drivers have no fear of being caught. AI-equipped cameras that can automatically detect drivers breaking the law offer a chance for the tide to be turned.

"The police can't be everywhere all of the time, so it makes sense that forces look to the best available technology that can help them catch drivers acting illegally."

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