Ground Transport Group - AI camera rollout threatens drivers with £2500 fines

Motorists are being warned of the impact of new technology on the roads, as UK police forces trial artificial intelligence motoring cameras.

Motoring experts at Absolute Reg are warning drivers they could be fined £2500 if caught out by the new AI cameras, which are set to become standard in the UK.

The cameras are currently being rolled out by ten police forces, and if successful they will be introduced nationwide.

The mobile technology will be able to automatically detect if motorists are breaking road rules, including using phones or not using seatbelts.

The new safety AI technology is mounted to a vehicle or trailer and has multiple cameras attached to give different views of the driver and passengers.

The high-tech cameras capture footage and can detect and analyse if drivers are breaking the law using AI.

The Images are then passed to the police for consideration of action to be taken, and drivers found guilty could be handed a hefty fine.

Drivers found using a phone could be fined £1,000, rising to £2,500 if driving a lorry or bus, handed six penalty points and banned from driving.

Motorists and passengers captured not wearing a seatbelt could be given an on-the-spot penalty of £100, rising to £500 if found guilty in court.

It is hoped the cameras will deter dangerous driving, improve safety on the roads and reduce the number of motoring incidents where people are killed or seriously injured.

The scheme has already been installed on roads across ten busy locations, including Greater Manchester, Sussex and Northamptonshire.

Safety cameras are currently being used on major roads, including motorways and A-roads, to deter bad driving behaviour.

There are plans for the technology to be fixed to gantries, which will give them an unobscured view of all the lanes.

The current National Highways trial of the AI cameras began on 19 February and will run until March 2025.

Jake Smith, director of Absolute Reg, said: “The introduction of the AI cameras will inevitably catch many drivers out on UK roads, leaving them with hefty fines and penalties.

“Although It is illegal to hold or use a phone while driving, or travel without a seatbelt, unfortunately, many motorists fail to follow the rules.

“The cameras can spy inside a vehicle to catch law-breaking drivers and send their details to the police.

“The implementation of the new AI technology may seem like another ploy to get money from motorists, but introducing them is a positive step forward in making Britain’s roads safer.

“The cameras should make drivers think twice before driving dangerously, and reduce incidents where people are killed or seriously injured.

“Motorists should expect other police forces across the UK to be rolling out these AI cameras and should ensure they are always driving safely and following the rules of the road.