In the first three days of operation, an artificial intelligence (AI) camera system in the UK caught nearly 300 drivers disobeying the law.
Drivers were observed using cell phones or driving without seatbelts.
The A30 near Launceston, Cornwall, now has the free-standing AI road safety camera in operation.
According to Devon and Cornwall Police, all photographs are evaluated by a human even though the cameras employ AI to identify potential crimes.
To capture clear photographs of moving cars, the system combines several cameras with fast shutter speeds, an infrared light, and a lensing and filtering system.
These photographs are examined by the AI program, and images that are thought to contain evidence of an offense are recognized and anonymized before being forwarded to a person for review to confirm an offense has happened.
Depending on the seriousness of the offense, the driver may receive a warning letter or a notice of intended prosecution if a violation has been successfully identified, according to the police testing the system.
After 72 hours of operation, the AI camera system discovered:
117 cell phone-related offenses
180 seatbelt infractions
A larger, vehicle-based system from the road safety tech company Acusensus underwent a 15-day testing in 2022 through Vision Zero South West.
It found 45 cell phone and 590 seatbelt violations on various roadways in Devon and Cornwall.
In the two counties, there were 48 traffic fatalities and 738 serious injuries on the highways last year.
Early findings from our most recent deployment indicate that using a cell phone while driving is also problematic and harmful.
We are using this new technology to make it apparent to anyone who continues to use their phone while operating a vehicle that they will be caught.