AI road safety cameras catch 700 offences during first week in Sussex
The camera spotted 620 seatbelt offences and 110 mobile phone offences.
New AI-powered road safety cameras have detected 700 offences in Sussex in their debut week, according to Sussex Police.
The cameras focus on drivers using mobile phones or not wearing seatbelts, two of the 'fatal five' offences contributing to road safety risks.
Over the past three years, Sussex has seen 82 incidents involving mobile phone usage and 214 injuries due to lack of seatbelt use.
The first week of operation recorded 620 seatbelt offences, 110 mobile phone offences, 17 combined seatbelt and mobile phone offences, and one instance of a driver losing proper control of a vehicle.
Sussex Police Chief Constable Jo Shiner commented: "We have embraced the use of modern technology not only to show that we listen to concerns raised by communities across Sussex, but also to help reduce the number of people killed and seriously injured on our roads through irresponsible driver behaviour.
“We know from a previous trial in 2024 that seatbelt and mobile phone offences are rife on our roads, and I’m hugely disappointed by these latest statistics.
"While the vast majority of people are safe and competent road users, there is still a large number of motorists who continue to take risks, and that is not acceptable.”
Equipped with an infrared flash, the high-definition cameras capture clear images night or day, scrutinising driver behaviour even in poor weather conditions.
Most images are deleted instantly without human viewing unless a potential offence is detected.
Images are cropped and anonymised before any human review, ensuring privacy by excluding vehicle number plates and unrelated data.
Mark Baker, Manager of Sussex Police's Road Safety Team, noted: “We've seen improper seatbelt use, such as wearing it under the arm, which remains dangerous."
Baker added that collected data shows habitual non-compliance by drivers who may not yet have faced serious consequences.
“Our aim isn't just targeting offenders but fostering responsible behaviour to enhance road safety for everyone,” he explained.
Courses may be available for certain offenders as an alternative to fines or prosecution. Using handheld phones could incur a £200 fine, six penalty points, and potentially losing the driving licence.