Phone and seat belt offenders to be targeted by AI

The mobile camera unit will be taken to locations in East Yorkshire and Northern Lincolnshire in the week beginning 10 June

A mobile camera will be taken to roads in East Yorkshire and Northern Lincolnshire to catch drivers using phones and those not wearing seat belts.

Safer Roads Humber said the camera unit, which is on loan from National Highways, would be in use for a week from Monday 10 June.

A spokesperson said: "It uses artificial intelligence (AI) to identify motorists potentially breaking the law.

"The image is then sent to an officer who completes a secondary check and only those committing offences will be prosecuted."

Safer Roads Humber spelled out the potential penalties for offenders.

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

• Anyone not wearing a seat belt within the 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.

Ian Robertson, from the Safer Roads Humber partnership, said: "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.”