Spying AI cameras should be used nationwide to catch more drivers illegally using their phones, ministers told
Minsters are being urged to take a 'modernised approach' to tackling two of the most persistent driving offences on the road: mobile phone misuse and seat belt non- compliance.
Among the recommendations put forward by the Parliamentary Advisory Council for Transport Safety (PACTS) in a white paper published today is a nationwide roll-out of roadside AI cameras and the use of in-vehicle monitoring to clampdown on these 'high-risk behaviours'.
The new report has been supported with funding from Australian tech firm Acusensus, whose cameras have already been deployed by National Highways and police forces to catch motorists committing various offences across Britain.
PACTS said UK trials of the AI cameras have shown they can 'identify thousands of offences within hours and deliver a measurable deterrent effect when publicised'.
The study concluded that 'new technologies - including AI-enabled camera systems, in-vehicle monitoring, and phone-limiting apps – offer credible and scalable ways to detect, deter and better understand non-compliant behaviour'.
Jamie Hassall, executive director at PACTS, said a lack of enforcement of these two offences is proof of a 'failing system' that will leave 'more families devastated until changes are made'.
Minsters are being urged to take a 'modernised approach' to tackling driving offences, including a nationwide rollout of roadside AI cameras that can detect motorists on the phone and not wearing seat belts
The advisory group categorises the two offences among the 'fatal four', alongside speeding and drink driving.
It says 2023 data shows that almost two third (64.9 per cent) of deadly collisions in Great Britain involved at least one of the fatal four.
However, despite this impact, PACTS said the current enforcement approach for seat belt and mobile phone compliance relies heavily on 'sporadic roadside observation'.
As such, the police is capturing 'only a fraction' of those who regularly break the law.
While phone use has become 'culturally normalised' in the last two decades - since the rapid development of smartphone technology - detection rates remain incredibly low.
Whereas official surveys of seat belt non-compliance - which dates back over 40 years - suggest the majority are buckled up correctly, road casualty statistics have consistently shown that unbelted occupants continue to be heavily over-represented in the number of in-vehicle fatalities.
As part of a safer roads strategy, PACTS has recommended that the Department for Transport modernises the legal framework to 'enable automated detection' of seat belt and mobile phone offences.
However, it says this should always be supported by mandatory human verification, which has been the case in trials across the country.
In doing so, the DfT would also need to create a policy framework to ensure consistent deployment, data governance and evidential standards for AI-enabled enforcement.
Commenting on the wider use of roadside AI cameras, Rod Dennis, senior policy advisor at the RAC, told us last year: 'Despite the penalties for using a handheld phone having been doubled to six penalty points and a £200 fine in 2017, it's clear that far too many drivers are still prepared to put lives at risk by engaging in this dangerous practice.
'We suspect a major reason for this is a lack of enforcement, meaning many drivers have no fear of being caught.
'AI-equipped cameras that can automatically detect drivers breaking the law offer a chance for the tide to be turned.
'The police can't be everywhere all of the time, so it makes sense that forces look to the best available technology that can help them catch drivers acting illegally.'
The AI cameras are mounted on tall gantries that can be transported via a specialist trailer or erected from the roof of an adapted van so that driving offences can be monitored from varying locations
The cameras take images of the interior of passing vehicles and AI technology can identify if a driver is using their phone or not wearing a seat belt. This information is then passed to the supporting police force to assess the footage and decide if an offence has been committed and should result in penalties for the motorist
A driver caught using his phone at the wheel - as captured by an AI-powered camera. The footage is then examined by a member of staff to confirm whether the software is correct and an offence has been committed
Last December, the technology was even rolled out by one UK police force to catch drink drivers during the Christmas party season.
Devon and Cornwall launched the world first trial a year ago as part of its Vision Zero South West road safety partnership’s campaign.
Using cloud-based algorithms to analyse image data from passing cars to look for indicators that the motorist might be impaired by drink or drugs, the camera software alerted nearby officers of the driver showing signs of being under the influence.
When officers stopped the vehicle, a roadside breath test was administered to find if they were above the legal limit.
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Alison Hernandez, Police and Crime Commissioner for Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly said the recent use of AI cameras in her area had 'shown just how common these offences still are' and just how effective the technology is at improving enforcement.
'We have seen sustained reductions in offending at sites where cameras operate, even after they have been removed,' she explained.
'This approach is already making a real difference and we hope it will contribute to fewer deaths and serious injuries on our roads.”
Adrian Leisk, head of road safety at Devon & Cornwall Police added: 'Since July 2024 we have processed nearly 5,000 seat belt offences and more than 2,000 mobile phone offences.
'The quality of the evidence has meant very few contested cases, and we are seeing clear behaviour change at repeat deployment sites.
'This technology is helping us save lives.'
'The police can't be everywhere all of the time, so it makes sense that forces look to the best available technology that can help them catch drivers acting illegally,' says the RAC's Rod Dennis
The new PACTS report has been supported with funding from Australian tech firm Acusensus, whose cameras have already been deployed by National Highways and police forces to catch motorists committing various offences across Britain
PACTS also called for ministers to review penalties for both offences, including the use of educational diversionary courses.
Today, drivers found to not be wearing a seat belt receive a fixed penalty notice (FPN) of £100 but no points. However, the driver can be issued the same fine amount for any passenger in the car that's not belted up.
Drivers caught handling their mobile phones are issued a £200 fine and six points on their licence.
For fleet and haulage companies, it recommended more intrusive tech.
This includes a wider use of telematics to monitor the behaviour or employees, as well as the deployment of in-vehicle alerts to ensure drivers are not using their devices and wearing their seat belts accordingly.
Jamie Hassall, Executive Director, PACTS, said: 'It’s clear that there are a larger percentage of companies that are not meeting their legal obligations in keeping their drivers and the public safe.
'They are failing to take reasonably practicable steps to remove the risk of their drivers using mobile phones or not wearing seat belts.
'They have failed to learn from tragic collisions and enforcement system focuses on the driver and not the companies, as unlike other work-related deaths the Health and Safety Executive does not get involved as they are not deemed reportable.'
