Trial expanded for cameras which catch drivers using a mobile phone

Trials of new cameras capable of identifying drivers who are not wearing a seatbelt or using a mobile phone while driving will be expanded.

The new type of technology captures footage of passing motorists. The images are processed using artificial intelligence (AI) to analyse whether the motorists could be using a handheld mobile phone or drivers may be without a seat belt.

The images are then passed to police for consideration on any action to be taken.

Drivers can be fined up to £500 for not wearing a seatbelt in addition to penalty points. While using a mobile phone while driving can result in a fine of up to £1,000 and six penalty points.

National Highways began trialling the technology in 2021, while Devon and Cornwall Police deployed the technology in 2022.

During the first couple of weeks, almost 600 people were caught by police not wearing seatbelts on Devon and Cornwall roads.

The cameras caught 590 people not wearing seatbelts and 40 people driving while using a mobile phone.

In partnership with AECOM, the research is now being extended to more police forces to help learn more about how the technology could work on National Highways roads and inform a possible future nationwide rollout.

The 10 police forces taking part in the expanded trial are: Durham, Greater Manchester Police, Humberside, Staffordshire, West Mercia, Northamptonshire, Wiltshire, Norfolk; Thames Valley Police and Sussex.

Matt Staton, National Highways head of national road user safety delivery, said: “We know that distracted driving and not wearing seatbelts were key factors in a high number of incidents that resulted in people being killed or seriously injured.

“Working with our police partners we want to reduce such dangerous driving and reduce the risks posed to both the drivers and other people.

“We believe that using technology like this will make people seriously consider their driving behaviour.”

The device is mounted on a vehicle or trailer and has multiple cameras giving differing views of the driver and their passengers.

However, there are plans for the technology to be fixed to gantries for the first time giving an unobscured view of all lanes.

Dr Jamie Uff, technical director at AECOM has been managing the deployment of the technology. He said: “Our work to date has highlighted the scale of the issue, has shown that technology can play a valuable role, and that there is much still to be understood about driver behaviour given the new insights gained.

“Expanding the deployments and integrating data processing with police systems is an important step towards this technology making a significant contribution to road safety.”

Although the research is funded by National Highways, enforcement of motoring offences will remain a matter for individual police forces.

The latest trial began this week and will run until March 2025.