AI camera rolled out to monitor driving offences

During their deployment on the A30 and A38 in 2023, the cameras detected a phone offence rate of 0.31%

A camera that uses artificial intelligence (AI) to detect road traffic offences has been deployed on a main road in Plymouth.

The system, which is in place along Tavistock Road in Derriford, captures images of passing vehicles to identify whether or not passengers are wearing seatbelts and whether the driver is using a mobile phone at the wheel.

Plymouth City Council said, although the cameras use AI to detect offences, the images are subsequently reviewed by a human.

If an offence is identified, the driver will either be sent a warning letter or a notice of intended prosecution.

'Positive effect'

Adrian Leisk, head of road safety for Devon and Cornwall Police, said: "There have been several tragic collisions in Devon and Cornwall very recently where people have died or been seriously injured because they were not wearing a seatbelt.

"Similarly, we know that using a mobile phone while driving is highly dangerous and significantly increases the risk of a collision.

"We don’t want to catch people – we just want motorists to stay safe by wearing a seatbelt and not using their phones while driving."

According to the council, data from previous deployments of the Acusensus technology in Devon and Cornwall appeared to show a positive effect on driver behaviour.

During their deployment on the A30 and A38 in 2023, the cameras detected a phone offence rate of 0.31% and seat belt offence rate of 0.38%.