Sussex Trials AI-Powered Cameras to Snare Reckless Drivers on A23
Sussex police have jumped into the future of road safety, joining nine other forces in England to roll out cutting-edge surveillance tech on the A23 near Handcross. This new system, mounted on vehicles and trailers, uses multiple cameras to catch drivers and passengers flouting seatbelt laws and fiddling with mobiles behind the wheel.
How the Tech Works: AI Spots Your Dangerous Driving
Launched in 2021, this trial aims to crack down on risky behaviour before it causes crashes. Early warnings were handed to offenders to educate them on the dangers, but with mobile phone use and seatbelt neglect causing a spike in accidents, authorities are stepping up enforcement.
The cameras use artificial intelligence to scan footage for offences, which police then review. Offenders face fines up to £500 for not wearing a seatbelt, or a hefty £1,000 plus penalty points if caught using a phone while driving.
Trial Success Could Lead to Nationwide Rollout
The trial kicked off on 19 February in partnership with AECOM and is set to run until March 2025. Future plans include installing the tech on gantries for full lane coverage, potentially revolutionising road safety across the UK.
Assistant Chief Constable Simon Dobinson said: “This is an exciting initiative and I’m looking forward to seeing the outcomes from the initial trial. It gives us a unique opportunity to learn how AI-enabled cameras can potentially support Partnership colleagues and ourselves in influencing driver behaviour and keeping motorists safe on our roads.”
Though National Highways funds the research, each police force will handle enforcement of offences independently.
