Northamptonshire: AI technology catches drivers on mobiles

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The new technology reveals how common drivers use their mobile phones in Northamptonshire.  

According to a report by the BBC, “Northamptonshire Police said it identified 114 drivers on mobiles and 180 without seatbelts during a one-week trial using AI technology.”

You can read the full report here

Once footage is taken, AI “analyses images taken by roadside cameras and alerts police to evidence of potential offences.”

What has the Police said?

Matthew O’Connell, Northamptonshire Police’s Safer Roads Team Manager, said: “AI technology has provided us with an additional pair of eyes.

“The results we’ve had sadly show how prolific these offences are and that despite all of our educational road safety messaging, it is extremely disappointing that some people continue to put their lives at risk.”

The use of a mobile phone whilst driving has been illegal since 2003.

The trial project is being run by National Highways, whose Head of National Road User Safety, Matt Staton, said: “Drivers are four times more likely to be involved in an accident if they’re using a mobile phone.

“We know from a previous phase of the trial that this technology is able to identify these offences and now we’re looking at it on a much larger scale.”

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