Pilot testing of the tech has been eye-opening with regards to the size of the issue; conviction rates for those using their phone while driving rose from just 6,990 in 2022 to 13,332 in 2023 – a seven-year high. In fact, the Department for Transport estimates that as many as 400,000 drivers per year are guilty of using their mobile phones behind the wheel.
To further clamp down on this, the trial scheme has now been extended until 2025, with 10 police forces now taking part nationwide: Durham, Greater Manchester Police, Humberside, Staffordshire, West Mercia, Northamptonshire, Wiltshire, Norfolk, Thames Valley Police, and Sussex. Devon and Cornwall’s initiative, on the other hand, falls under the separate aforementioned VZSW scheme, despite utilising the same technology.
Speaking of which, the so-called ‘Acusensus’ cameras have been developed by Texas-based firm, AECOM, with the initiatives backed by the RAC. Spokesperson for the RAC, Rod Dennis said: “Despite the penalties for using a handheld phone having doubled to six penalty points and a £200 fine seven years ago, it’s clear far too many drivers are still prepared to put lives at risk by engaging in this dangerous practice.”
“AI-equipped cameras that can automatically detect drivers breaking the law offer a chance for the tide to be turned.” Dennis continued, “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.”
Camera vans and lorries
It’s not just AI cameras that are ensuring that Big Brother is always watching; police forces have also been utilising unmarked camera vans and even lorries to record the illegal activity of unsuspecting phone users.
