Hi-tech Police van uses AI to spot drivers on phones
29 Jul 2022
- Warwickshire Police is the first force in the country to trial the sensor test vehicle
- It is designed to catch motorists who are not wearing a seatbelt, drivers using their phone behind the wheel and other dangerous offences
- It has been on the road since 11 July and be deployed over the next three months
- First time offenders will be sent warning letters with repeat offences prosecuted
- Van is provided by National Highways to 'understand the scale of the problem around dangerous motoring offences'
National Highways has added a new 'Big Brother' van to its fleet that can detect if motorists are wearing a seatbelt or holding a phone at the wheel as they drive past - and police have been using it for weeks.
The vehicle is the first of its kind being trialled on UK roads, with Warwickshire Police deploying it on its motorways from 11 July and will use it for at least the next three months to catch motorists breaking the law.
The van will be used only at the roadside at various locations and is fitted with a large metal gantry structure with cameras attached to monitor the road from an elevated position.
The Government's major roads department says the hi-tech van is first being used to 'understand the scale of the problem around these dangerous motoring offences', though suggest similar technology-packed vehicles could be distributed across the country to 'boost road safety'.
National Highways says drivers caught by the van breaking the law will be issued by Warwickshire Police with a warning letter to inform them of the dangers of their actions.
The letters will remind drivers that they could be fined up to £500 for not wearing a seat belt in addition to receiving penalty points, while those caught using a handheld device will be stung with £200 fines and six points on their licence.