New cameras being rolled out in Cornwall and Devon catch 65 drivers in one day
They can detect if you are using a mobile phone or not wearing a seatbelt
Last updated 30th Sep 2022
Devon and Cornwall's new artificial intelligence cameras have caught 65 drivers in ONE day.
Five of those spotted on the A30 near Exeter were using a mobile and the rest not wearing a seatbelt.
The technology is being trialled at several locations, before being rolled out across the force area.
The Devon and Cornwall Roads Policing Team shared the results from this week's checks on social media.
They tweeted: "Yesterday, our partners at AECOM were on the A30 at Sowton, Exeter. The infrared cameras and artificial intelligence detected 60 drivers not wearing a seatbelt and 5 drivers using a mobile device while driving. This trial will continue force-wide".
Images captured by the cameras are processed using artificial intelligence (AI) to determine if motorists were using a handheld mobile phone or if drivers and passengers were without a seat belt. It can also determine the speed a vehicle was travelling at the time.
Any images in which a potential offence is detected are then reviewed by a human. If an offence has been correctly identified, the driver will either be sent a warning letter or a notice of intended prosecution, depending on the severity.
Supt Adrian Leisk, Strategic Roads Policing lead for Devon and Cornwall Police said: "Using a mobile phone while driving is both dangerous and illegal. It puts the lives of the driver, passengers and other road users at risk – and that is unacceptable.
"Despite repeated messaging and even a change in the law which makes any contact with a mobile phone while driving illegal, sadly there are still some people who continue to ignore the rules.
"We are employing this new technology to send a clear message to anyone who continues to use their phone behind the wheel – you will get caught".