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A trial of new mobile technology which can automatically detect motorists who are not wearing a seatbelt or using mobile phones while driving is being extended with police across the country taking part.
National Highways is working with ten police forces using the new kit which is mounted to a vehicle or trailer and has multiple cameras giving differing views of the driver and their passengers. There are plans for the technology to be fixed to gantries for the first time giving an unobscured view of all lanes.
The new type of technology captures footage of passing motorists. The images are processed using artificial intelligence (AI) to analyse whether the motorists could be using a handheld mobile phone or drivers may not be wearing a seat belt. These images are then assessed by police officers to see if any action should be taken, which can include fines up to £1000 and six penalty points on a driver’s licence.
“We know that distracted driving and not wearing seatbelts were key factors in a high number of incidents that resulted in people being killed or seriously injured.
“Working with our police partners we want to reduce such dangerous driving and reduce the risks posed to both the drivers and other people. We believe that using technology like this will make people seriously consider their driving behaviour.
“We will continue to invest in technology that could help make sure everyone using our roads gets home safe and well.”
Matt Staton, Head of National Road User Safety Delivery, National Highways.
National Highways is funding the trial that was first launched back in 2021 and infrastructure consultancy firm AECOM is leading the research with more police forces to determine whether this approach could be rolled out nationwide. For now, forces from Durham, Greater Manchester Police, Humberside, Staffordshire, West Mercia, Northamptonshire, Wiltshire, Norfolk; Thames Valley Police and Sussex will provide valuable evidence for the trial that runs until March 2025.
For more insight into the work of the National Highways, check out the Emergency Services Times webinar where Andy Butterfield, Customer Services Director for National Highways, shared how the organisation is responding to the growing number of electric vehicles on the nation’s roads.