Trial of AI Mobile Phone and Seatbelt Camera in East Yorkshire

Tuesday, 28 March 2023 06:00

By Matthew Pells

Safer Roads Humber is working with National Highways in trialling a new enforcement vehicle that is being developed to detect motorists using a handheld mobile phone whilst driving or not wearing a seat belt.

The vehicle is being deployed across the Humber region this week.

Ian Robertson, Safer Roads Humber partnership manager, said:

“It is important that motorists always obey all traffic law, this is for their safety and the safety of other road users.

“The number of people killed or injured in road collisions across the region has plateaued over the last few years and this is in part due to driver complacency.

“We can’t pick and choose which road traffic laws we obey; all laws should be adhered to, at all times.”

“This new van increases our enforcement capability; our current safety camera vans can already detect mobile phone users and seat belt offences, but this specialist equipment gives us added capacity.”

The mobile phone and seat belt unit uses artificial intelligence (AI) to identify motorists potentially breaking the law.

Images are then sent to an officer who completes a secondary check and only those breaking the law will be prosecuted.

Jamie Hassall, National Highways’ road safety team leader, said:

“This technology has already been deployed on roads elsewhere in the country where it has helped to shine a light on the minority of dangerous drivers who continue to put themselves and others at risk.

“We want to see if we can change driver behaviour and therefore improve road safety for everyone.

“So, as we embark on this latest trial of the system, our advice is clear: buckle up and give the road your full attention.”

Safer Roads Humber is raising awareness of the ‘Fatal Four’ which are the main causes of road collisions.

This includes speeding, using a handheld mobile phone whilst driving resulting in distraction, driving whilst impaired through alcohol and drugs and not wearing a seat belt which determines the severity of injury in a crash.

Safer Roads Humber routinely detects these offences apart from impairment, which is detected by Humberside Police, which enforces all traffic laws.

Ian Robertson said:

“The majority of motorists drive safely and appropriately most of the time, but a very small minority deliberately drive in a dangerous manner.

“Using a handheld phone whilst driving whether texting, checking your status or ringing friends is a very deliberate act.

“Not wearing your seat belt is a very deliberate act and if you’re involved in a collision, you are more likely to be killed or seriously injured. Anyone driving in this manner risks prosecution.”

Anyone detected using a handheld mobile phone whilst driving risks being fined £200 and receiving six points on their driving licence.

Anyone not wearing a seat belt within a vehicle will risk a £100 fine, with the driver being responsible for any passengers under the age of 14.

Where possible those detected may be offered an education course as an alternative to prosecution.