RAC backs AI camera crackdown which automatically spots drivers using phones at wheel

The cameras are set up on vans or trailers and catch drivers in the act of breaking the law on seatbelts or phones

Motoring group the RAC has urged police to make a big mobile phones crackdown including the widespread use of AI cameras which can automatically spot people using them at the wheel and send them a fine immediately. The group spoke out after a survey revealed 25% of drivers across all age groups admit to making or receiving voice calls illegally while driving – a figure which rises to 49% of those aged 17 to 24.

The RAC is calling for more police enforcement due to ‘little fear of being caught’. Last week National Highways said it was rolling out a test of special new AI cameras to 10 police forces around the country. These are set up on vans or trailers and can automatically detect motorists who are not wearing a seatbelt or using mobile phones while driving.

The police forces taking part in the trial are: Durham, Greater Manchester Police, Humberside, Staffordshire, West Mercia, Northamptonshire, Wiltshire, Norfolk; Thames Valley Police and Sussex. Drivers can be fined up to £500 for not wearing a seatbelt in addition to penalty points. While using a mobile phone while driving can result in a fine of up to £1,000 and six penalty points and the cameras will send the evidence automatically to police for enforcement action.

The RAC said it was the 17th anniversary of the punishment for using a handheld mobile phone while driving being increased to a £60 fixed penalty plus three points. Before this date, the punishment was just a £30 fixed penalty.

The motoring group said illegal mobile phone use is now UK drivers’ fourth biggest overall motoring concern, behind the state of the roads, fuel prices and the poor standard of driving on the roads across the country.

In September 2016, RAC research found that illegal mobile phone use by drivers was at ‘epidemic proportions’, triggering government action and a consultation on raising the penalties further. In March 2017, the fine was increased from £100 to £200 and came with an increased penalty of six points on a licence.

Last year, the law was changed again to cover any use of a handheld phone while driving. RAC road safety spokesman Rod Dennis said: “It’s more than 20 years since it first became illegal to use a handheld phone while driving, and 17 years since the offence was first punishable through penalty points on drivers’ licences.

“Yet despite the penalties having since doubled to six penalty points and a £200 fine seven years ago, it’s clear far too many drivers are still prepared to put lives at risk by engaging in this dangerous practice.

“We suspect the main reason for this is the lack of enforcement which means there is little fear of being caught. As it’s impossible to have a police officer on every street corner, we urge more police forces to begin trialling camera-based technology that can automatically detect drivers breaking the law in this way.

“We know from our research that drivers are broadly supportive of cameras being used for this purpose. Without the dial being turned up on enforcement, there’s every chance we will never bring about the change needed to curb this behaviour. Ultimately, we have to make using a handheld phone at the wheel as socially unacceptable as drink-driving.”