The use of automated monitoring technologies on UK roads is continuing to grow (pictured, surveillance camera monitoring motorway traffic on the M25 in Hertfordshire).
New AI cameras are being used in Sussex to help police target dangerous driving behaviours and improve road safety, as part of a wider push to reduce serious and fatal collisions.
Sussex Police said it is the latest force to deploy the technology, which is designed specifically to detect drivers using a mobile phone or not wearing a seatbelt.
Both offences fall within the so-called “fatal five” — the main contributors to serious injury and death on UK roads. Over the past three years in Sussex, 82 people have been involved in a collision where someone was driving whilst using a mobile phone, while 214 people have been injured in collisions linked to not wearing a seatbelt.
The deployment follows a trial by National Highways in 2024, which detected 458 offences across seven days in Sussex. Of these, 330 involved drivers not wearing a seatbelts, 118 related to mobile phone use and 10 involved both offences combined.
Technology to support enforcement
The cameras, supplied by Acusensus, are funded through Sussex Police’s road safety recovery costs, including proceeds from speed awareness courses. They will remain in place for several weeks before being reviewed and evaluated.
The initiative forms part of the national Operation Spotlight campaign running throughout April, which has a particular focus on seatbelt compliance.
Sussex Police Chief Constable Jo Shiner, who is also the roads policing lead for the National Police Chiefs’ Council, said: “We regularly hear from our communities across Sussex that they are tired of seeing people using their mobile phones whilst driving, therefore increasing the risk to everyone around them. And while we endeavour to respond to these concerns and proactively patrol wherever possible, the reality is we cannot be everywhere all of the time.
“These AI cameras are not designed to replace modern day policing, but to enhance it. By embracing the technology available to us, we can build a better picture of driver behaviour, influence behavioural change and take action where necessary.
“It is statistically proven that not wearing a seatbelt and driving whilst distracted which includes using a mobile phone are among the five most common causes of fatal and serious injury collisions on our roads. We hope that this new initiative will help to reduce the number of these collisions, which so often cause absolute devastation to victims and their loved ones.”
Behaviour change focus
Police and Crime Commissioner Katy Bourne said: “One of my key manifesto pledges was to address road safety which is why I established the Fatal Five Unit in Sussex – to tackle the main causes of serious injury and death on our roads with a targeted determination. The trial of AI camera systems is another promised delivered.
“With 82 collisions involving drivers using mobile phones and 214 people injured due to not wearing a seatbelt in just 12 months, I welcome the use of technology to enhance policing capability and allow Sussex Police to deploy resources more effectively. This technology will strengthen their ability to detect dangerous behaviours, intervene earlier and reach more locations across our county.
“But we all have a role to play. We must not be afraid to challenge friends, family members or anyone getting behind the wheel if they are using a mobile phone or failing to wear a seatbelt. Poor decisions put lives at risk and no message or moment of convenience is worth the devastation caused by a fatal collision.
“I look forward to discussing the impact and results of the AI cameras with the Chief Constable in due course.”
Geoff Collins, UK General Manager for Acusensus, added: “We know that these dangerous driving behaviours are happening across our road network and that is a real matter of concern to all sensible drivers. Appropriate use of new technology now allows us to identify and evidence this in a way that would be impractical for conventional roads policing. We have also seen impressive improvements to driving behaviours where the system is deployed, which I’m confident will be the case in Sussex.”
Mark Baker, Sussex Police Road Safety Team Manager, said: “Road Safety is everyone’s responsibility, and I welcome the use of this technology to help keep people safer. If you know anyone who uses their phone whilst driving, or does not routinely put their seatbelt on, please encourage them to change their behaviour and reduce the risk for everyone on the roads of Sussex.”
Further information about the AI cameras is available here.
