Cameras to catch UK drivers on their phones

Drivers in Devon and Cornwall who use their phones behind the wheel over the coming months face a new weapon in the battle to reduce road danger. A camera system which uses artificial intelligence (AI) to detect speed, phone use, and whether or not a seat belt is being worn, is being trialled across the two counties.

Strategic roads policing lead, Superintendent Adrian Leisk, told the BBC: "Using a mobile phone while driving is both dangerous and illegal. It puts the lives of the driver, passengers and other road users at risk - and that is unacceptable. Despite repeated messaging and even a change in the law which makes any contact with a mobile phone while driving illegal, sadly there are still some people who continue to ignore the rules."

The Acusensus AI system is not entirely autonomous - if it suspects an offence has been captured on film, the footage is passed to a human for verification.

Driving, mobile phones and the law

The law on people using their mobile phones while driving became stricter earlier this year. Drivers can now receive six points on their licence for any hand held phone use.

Since 2003, it’s been an offence to use a hand-held mobile phone for 'interactive communication' while driving. However, over the last decade, use of phones has evolved to include playing music and games, taking photos or videos...some motorists even use their phones to watch television while they're driving.

The change to the law has been prompted by recent court cases, including the driver who was filming a nearby road crash while at the wheel but was subsequently found not guilty because they were not using a hand-held mobile phone for ‘interactive communication’. The judge said the driver's actions were 'out of the scope of this offence.'

Researchers at the Transport Research Laboratory said the law changes are sensible, but the ongoing “focus on ‘hand-held’ devices misses the point”, and a wider appreciation of how even ‘hands-free’ technology can distract drivers is needed.

New mobile phone law for drivers

The new offence will cover any device which is capable of interactive communication even if that functionality is not enabled at the time. This will include a device in flight mode.

The definition of ‘using’ a phone will now cover the following:

• illuminating the screen
• checking the time
• checking notifications
• unlocking the device
• making, receiving, or rejecting a telephone or internet based call
• sending, receiving or uploading oral or written content
• sending, receiving or uploading a photo or video
• utilising camera, video, or sound recording
• drafting any text
• accessing any stored data such as documents, books, audio files, photos, videos, films, playlists, notes or messages
• accessing an app
• accessing the internet

Driving while using a mobile phone: The human cost

Clearly all use of a hand-held mobile phone while driving is reckless and dangerous, and not just when being used for the purposes of a call or other interactive communication. However, if you'd like an insight into the human cost, watch the first few minutes of our documentary about road danger...

Stop Killing our Children from ETA on Vimeo.

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