AI-Powered Camera to Patrol Roads in East Yorkshire and Northern Lincolnshire
- AI Technology in Use: A mobile camera using AI will monitor drivers for phone and seat belt violations.
- Enforcement and Penalties: Offenders face fines and points on their licenses, with some offered educational courses as alternatives.
- Enhanced Road Safety: The initiative aims to boost enforcement capabilities and improve road safety.
In a bid to enhance road safety, East Yorkshire and Northern Lincolnshire will see the deployment of an AI-powered mobile camera to monitor drivers for phone and seat belt violations. Safer Roads Humber, in collaboration with National Highways, will utilize this advanced technology for a week starting Monday, 10 June.
Enhancing Enforcement with AI
The AI-powered camera, on loan from National Highways, represents a significant step forward in traffic law enforcement. It leverages artificial intelligence to identify drivers potentially breaking the law by using mobile phones or failing to wear seat belts. The system works by capturing images of drivers, which are then sent to an officer for a secondary check to confirm any violations. Only confirmed offenders will face prosecution.
Ian Robertson from the Safer Roads Humber partnership highlighted the advantages of this new technology, stating, “This state-of-the-art equipment increases our enforcement capability. Our current safety camera vans can already detect mobile phone users, seat belt offences, and other offences such as careless driving, but this specialist equipment gives us added capacity.”
Penalties and Educational Opportunities
Motorists caught using handheld mobile phones while driving risk a £200 fine and six points on their license. Those not wearing a seat belt face a £100 fine, with drivers being held responsible for any passengers under the age of 14 who are not properly restrained. In certain cases, offenders may be offered an educational course as an alternative to prosecution, providing a chance to learn about the dangers of their actions and avoid future infractions.
A Week-long Trial for Road Safety
The AI camera will be in use for a week as part of an ongoing national trial, aiming to assess its effectiveness in real-world conditions. This initiative is part of a broader effort to utilize cutting-edge technology to make roads safer by ensuring compliance with traffic laws.
The introduction of AI-powered cameras in East Yorkshire and Northern Lincolnshire marks a significant development in road safety enforcement. By leveraging advanced technology to detect and penalize traffic violations, authorities hope to reduce the incidence of dangerous behaviors such as using mobile phones while driving and neglecting seat belt use. This trial not only enhances enforcement capabilities but also underscores the potential of AI in promoting safer driving practices.