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Technology to catch drivers holding mobile phones and not wearing seatbelts
29/07/2022
The three month trial is underway in Warwickshire
Drivers heading off on their holidays, or trips further afield, now have another reason to ensure they stick to the law whilst in their vehicle. Warwickshire Police and the Highways Agency are trialling new technology which can automatically detect motorists who hold mobile phones at the wheel or fail to wear a seatbelt.
A new van packed with detection equipment has hit England’s motorways and major A-roads as part of a research project carried out alongside Warwickshire Police to understand the scale of the problem around these dangerous motoring offences.
In the future the van will also be able to detect tailgating.
During the trial, drivers breaching the rules will be sent warning letters informing them of the dangers of their actions. Prosecutions may follow in the most serious cases.
The ‘sensor test vehicle’ is equipped with multiple cameras which can record footage of passing motorists. Images captured by the cameras are processed using artificial intelligence to determine if motorists were using a handheld mobile phone and drivers and passengers were without a seat belt.
The vehicle is being tested over a period of almost three months.
Government figures show that there were 420 collisions on British roads in 2019 in which the driver was using a mobile phone at the wheel. Separate figures show that failure to wear a seatbelt has been attributed to one in four road deaths.
National Highways Head of Road Safety Jeremy Phillips said: “Safety remains our top priority and we want everyone to get to their destination safely. Sadly, there are still drivers who do not feel the need to wear a seatbelt, become distracted by their phones or travel too close to the vehicle in front.
“We want to see if we can change driver behaviour and therefore improve road safety for everyone. Our advice is clear; please leave enough space, buckle up and give the road your full attention.”
Inspector Jem Mountford of Warwickshire Police said: “We are really excited to see the impact that this new technology has on the behaviour of drivers in Warwickshire.
“Our officers deal with the tragic circumstances of collisions where often innocent people have been killed or seriously injured because a driver was distracted by a mobile phone or someone was not wearing a seatbelt. These collisions are preventable but we need all road users to do the right thing and comply with the law to make our roads safer.
“During the trial the most serious breaches may be prosecuted, with others receiving warning letters, giving us the opportunity to explain how they have been caught and asking them to change their behaviour. Next time they may not be so lucky.”
Published: by Banbury FM Newsteam
Jill Blincowe On 29/07/2022 at 12:57 pm
Good. I’m all for it. I’m fed up with people driving badly because they are still using their phone.
Jon On 29/07/2022 at 1:49 pm
Obscene waste of money when we have far more serious problems . This country has to stop this war on car owners , it’s too easy to target motorists and make money .