AI cameras to spot region's drivers on phones

Any footage that is found to contain evidence of an offence is sent for a secondary human check to confirm that an offence has occurred.

Cameras which use AI to automatically detect drivers on phones and those not wearing seat belts are being deployed in Greater Manchester as part of rollout of a national trial.

Acusensus, which is behind the "Heads Up" technology, said footage that was found to contain evidence of an offence would be sent for a secondary human check.

Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) said the regional trial, which begins on 3 September, would also be used by Safer Roads Greater Manchester as a traffic survey to understand how many drivers still choose to break the law.

Distractions and not wearing seatbelts were "key factors" in crashes, it added.

TfGM said drivers were four times more likely to be in a crash if they use their phone while driving and twice as likely to die in a crash if they do not wear a seat belt.

Introduction of the AI cameras follows Safer Roads Greater Manchester's Touch.Screen campaign which aimed to raise awareness of the dangers of using a mobile phone at the wheel.

Frankie Jules-Hough and her unborn daughter Neeve died after a speeding driver crashed into her car

The campaign was supported by Calvin Buckley, whose partner Frankie Jules-Hough and their unborn daughter died after a driver, who filmed himself speeding on the M66 in Bury, crashed into their car.

Mr Buckley said his "life was destroyed" as a result of someone using their phone while driving.

“It’s become quite common for people to use their phone to check messages, send photos or change the music while driving," he said.

“But all it takes is a split second to become distracted, and when you take your eyes off the road anything could happen."

Heads Up, which can be mounted to a vehicle or a trailer, has been used by police forces and local highways authorities across the UK since it was first trialled by National Highways in 2021.

Greater Manchester Police is one of the ten forces now joining the trial.

Acusensus said if an image later showed that no offence had been committed, it would be deleted immediately by the software and no further action would be taken.