Experts have warned that new AI-powered cameras being trialled by police are able to catch drivers breaching safety rulesputting them at risk of fines. Next month, police in Essex will begin trialling new state-of-the art cameras designed to identify motorists not wearing seatbelts and using mobile phones. The technology, which was introduced in 2021, has already been tested by other forces across England, and police believe they could play a big role in reducing accidents on the road, as per BBC News.
A car repair finance expert from Bumper has warned drivers that these new devices allow authorities to spot far more than they did before. “Unlike traditional cameras that only monitor speed, these smart devices detect drivers using mobile phones or not wearing seatbelts, aiming to crack down on distractions behind the wheel,” they said.
Car repair financing experts at the firm acknowledge the safety benefits but warn that these new devices could also have financial implications for drivers who already face rising motoring costs.
“The system uses a multi-camera setup to capture different views of the driver and passengers, with artificial intelligence analysing the footage to detect speed-related offences,” the expert at the car finance and loan company said.
However, they noted that “any violations flagged by AI must still be reviewed and verified by police officers before fines are issued”.
Besides the obvious risk of these safety failures to yourself and others, being caught committing them by these new cameras could result in major financial penalties.
These include:
- Using a mobile phone while driving: A £200 fine and six penalty points. If taken to court, this could rise to £1,000 or even £2,500 for lorry and bus drivers, with the possibility of a driving ban.
- Not wearing a seatbelt: A £100 fine. If prosecuted in court, this can increase to £500.
According to the expert, “Initial results suggest the technology is effective – within just a few weeks, the trial cameras caught 590 drivers without seatbelts and 40 using their phones.
“The programme has now expanded in 2024 to include 10 police forces across the country, covering areas such as Durham, Greater Manchester, and Sussex.”
They added that with “so many drivers caught not wearing their belts and on their phones, the results speak for themselves – the more drivers fined for these simple errors, the fewer accidents we’ll see, making our roads a safer place for everyone”.