AI Cameras Set to Test Phone Usage Rules Enforcement

The Devon County Council plans to deploy advanced technology in the form of high-definition artificial intelligence (AI) cameras. These state-of-the-art devices are designed to identify drivers who fail to wear seatbelts and those using mobile phones while driving. The police force has tested similar systems with great success, resulting in warning letters being sent to motorists and even fines or prosecutions.

The AI technology is expected to be deployed by Essex Police starting in April. According to Adam Pipe, the head of roads policing for Essex, early results have been impressive. He highlighted that the picture quality of these cameras is excellent and that they detect a significantly higher number of offenses than traditional roadside police presence could manage.

While Vision Zero South West has always stressed individual responsibility in road safety, Mr. Pipe believes technology like this can play an important role in reducing accidents on roads. He also encouraged drivers to challenge others’ unsafe behavior when observed and advised against distractions such as answering calls while driving due to the potential consequences for themselves and their loved ones.

The cameras are manufactured by tech company Acusensus, which is already working with several police regions across England including Norfolk and Northamptonshire. Geoff Collins, the UK general manager of Acusensen, emphasized that there will always be a human review process in place before any action is taken based on camera footage.

In the past year alone, Devon and Cornwall Police reported detecting over 2000 incidents using similar AI cameras on three A-roads. Out of these cases, ten children were found to be unrestrained while sitting in laps with their parents. The deployment of such technology not only aims at improving road safety but also addresses critical issues like child restraint violations.

Essex Police is considering the use of Acusensus’s relocatable trailers for mounting these cameras on roadsides, highlighting how this innovative solution can serve as an effective labor-saving device for law enforcement. The move towards incorporating AI into traffic monitoring systems represents a significant step in advancing road safety measures and reducing accidents.