AI Safety Cameras: Transforming Road Safety Enforcement

The landscape of road safety enforcement is undergoing a significant transformation with the advent of AI-powered safety cameras.

National Highways has extended a trial of mobile cameras that automatically detect seatbelt and mobile phone use offences using artificial intelligence (AI) [1]. This innovative approach, involving multiple police forces, promises to enhance road safety and increase compliance with traffic laws.

Expanding the Reach of AI Enforcement

The trial, which now includes Durham, Greater Manchester, Humberside, Staffordshire, West Mercia, Northamptonshire, Wiltshire, Norfolk, Thames Valley Police, and Sussex police forces, leverages mobile cameras mounted on vehicles or trailers. These cameras capture footage of drivers and their passengers, which is then processed by AI to detect various offences, including mobile phone use, seatbelt violations, and vehicle speed. The use of AI allows for the efficient processing of large volumes of data, identifying offences that might otherwise go unnoticed.

Early Successes and Future Prospects

The initial trial of this technology, conducted in 2021 with a fixed camera on the M4 in Berkshire, demonstrated the potential of AI enforcement. Over six months, nearly 7,000 seatbelt offences and over 25,000 instances of drivers holding their mobile phones were detected. These numbers highlight the prevalence of such offences and the need for more robust enforcement mechanisms. The current trial, set to run until March 2025, aims to build on these successes. By expanding the use of AI-powered cameras, National Highways and participating police forces hope to significantly increase the volume of prosecutions for seatbelt and mobile phone use offences. This increased enforcement is expected to act as a strong deterrent, encouraging more drivers to adhere to safety regulations.

Future Developments: Tailgating Detection

In addition to detecting seatbelt and mobile phone offences, the technology has the potential to address other dangerous driving behaviours. Notably, there has been the development of additional technology to detect “tailgating” offences. Although not part of the current trial, the ability to identify and prosecute tailgating could have significant implications for road safety. Tailgating, considered careless and inconsiderate driving under section 3 of the Road Traffic Act 1988, poses serious risks to all road users. The implementation of this technology could further reduce dangerous driving behaviours, contributing to overall road safety.

Implications for Motorists

As AI enforcement technology becomes more widespread, motorists will need to be increasingly vigilant in adhering to traffic laws. The enhanced ability to detect offences means that those who habitually ignore seatbelt regulations, contrary to s. 14(3) of the 1988 Act, or use mobile phones while driving, in breach of regulation 110 of the Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986, are more likely to be detected and prosecuted.

Now, more than ever, it is essential that all driver policies and professional driver employment contracts specifically deal with road traffic contraventions including mobile phone use. Even when used legally, via Bluetooth, they remain a distraction. This shift towards higher surveillance and enforcement is likely to lead to safer driving practices, ultimately reducing accidents and saving lives. 

Impact upon civil claims

It has long been established that contributory negligence will apply to reduce a claimant’s damages where they have failed to wear a seatbelt, and any injuries suffered would either have been entirely avoided or the extent of injury reduced if a seatbelt been worn [2].

Naturally, innovative technology capable of detecting whether a claimant was wearing a seatbelt would be useful for insurers defending claims where there was a factual dispute about a seatbelt’s use at the time of an accident.

Currently, these disputes often require vehicle inspections by an expert witness  to resolve the matter, which requires a court’s permission and is both costly and time consuming.

The same benefits apply equally to liability disputes about whether a driver allegeing fault against another was distracted by  a mobile phone. Currently, resolving this dispute requires disclosure of mobile phone records , which are not always conclusive.

Instead, this technology could assist in reducing a costly and lengthy disclosure exercise and determine the matter at an earlier stage of proceedings.

Conclusion

By harnessing the power of artificial intelligence, National Highways and participating police forces are paving the way for a future where traffic laws are enforced more effectively, and road safety is significantly improved. Widespread deployment of this technology, including the potential detection of tailgating, will reduce dangerous driving behaviours and enhance the safety of all road users. As trials progress, outcomes are likely to shape the future of traffic enforcement and road safety strategies across the country.

[1] https://www.rac.co.uk/drive/news/motoring-news/more-police-forces-join-trial-of-new-ai-road-safety-cameras/
[2] Froom v Butcher [1976] QB 286