A POLICE spy camera van which uses artificial intelligence (AI) to detect driving offences, has caught almost 500 cases in the area.
The AI camera, launched by Thames Valley Police and Hampshire Police, works by spotting drivers using their mobile phones at the wheel and not wearing seat belts.
The AI-equipped camera van has two cameras: the first is set at an angle to identify a mobile phone close to the driver’s ear as well as spot whether a seat belt is being worn; and the second has a steep view to see if a mobile phone is being held down in front for texting.
Once the offences are identified by the AI system, the results are double-checked by at least two people before being considered for prosecution.
The forces targeted commercial vehicles in a week-long operation on the A34 and the A303 using the Sensor test vehicle with the Acusensus “Heads-up” solution provided by infrastructure consultancy AECOM.
The van identified 86 drivers suspected of using a phone and 273 motorists or passengers suspected of not wearing a seat belt, with a further 132 mechanical offences identified.
Five arrests were also made for offences such as drug-driving and disqualified driving.
Manager of the police forces’ Safer Roads Unit, Simon Gomer, said: “These are very exciting times, and this has been a great opportunity for both forces to utilise the latest in AI technology.
“But the results we’ve had from just one week sadly show how prolific these offences are. We will continue to spread the message that distracted driving kills, these offences will be punished.”
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