More AI cameras to catch distracted drivers go live
Mon, 09 Sept 2024
Greater Manchester is trialling high-tech new cameras that use artificial intelligence (AI) to detect motorists committing offences behind the wheel, such as using a mobile phone or not wearing a seatbelt.
The cameras, which are mounted higher than regular speed cameras, capture footage of passing vehicles, with images then being processed by AI to detect potential offending drivers. Two images are taken – a shallow angle and a deeper close-up angle.
Images that are flagged are then given a human check to confirm if an offence has occurred. If it has, further action is taken.
The latest trial is being managed by Safer Roads Greater Manchester. It claims the initial aim is to use it as a traffic survey, to understand how many drivers are still breaking the law.
The technology is called ‘Heads Up’ and is from Australian firm Acusensus. It can track cars at speeds of up to 186mph.
The company is keen to point out that if a human check shows no offence has been committed, the image is immediately deleted.
Safer Roads Greater Manchester says the results will be used to "refine future road safety campaigns aiming to improve compliance of mobile phone and seat belt use by drivers."
The force says the Heads Up tech is now being deployed at several locations across Greater Manchester. Motorists will be able to spot the distinctive vans with the ultra-tall rigging emerging from the roof. More permanent installations (pictured above) are also possible.
By utilising the state-of-the-art technology, Transport for Greater Manchester says it hopes to gain a better understanding of how many drivers break the law in this way.
"We know that distractions and not wearing seat belts are key factors in a number of road traffic collisions on our roads, which have resulted in people being killed or seriously injured," a spokesman says.
Greater Manchester is the latest force to use the Acusensus camera system, following an initial trial by National Highways in 2021.
