POLICE are ’shocked’ after a pioneering artificially-intelligent police van detected an unsafe driver every six minutes while being trialled in Warwickshire.
The ‘sensor test vehicle’, which has been on trial in the county since August, has successfully spotted motorists holding mobile phones or driving without seatbelts.
The vehicle uses artificial intelligence (AI) detection equipment, which can help ascertain whether drivers are distracted at the wheel or they – or a passenger – are failing to wear a seatbelt.
During the trial, 152 drivers on the M40 and A46 were spotted using mobile phones, and 512 vehicle occupants without a seat belt – all over a period of 64 hours. Over 216 Notices of Intended Prosecution (NIPs) have been issued by Warwickshire Police as a result.
Insp Jem Mountford of Warwickshire Police said: “We have been shocked at what we have seen during the trial.
“We have seen one driver with his phone to his ear and his other hand to his face – so none on the steering wheel – and two separate drivers with no seatbelts on who were also using handheld phones.
“The new van is a fantastic tool to support officers in changing driver behaviour and enforcing the legislation for those reluctant to comply.
“As well as fines, points and their job, drivers risk their own safety, the safety of passengers – often young children and the safety of everyone else using the road around them. That is not acceptable and we will continue our proactive operations to address these dangerous behaviours.”
National Highways launched the van alongside consultants AECOM. It is being used on motorways and major A-roads as part of a research project in partnership with Warwickshire Police to understand levels of unsafe driving behaviour.
National Highways Road Safety Team leader Jamie Hassall said: “Sadly, the results of this trial have shown that some drivers do not feel the need to wear a seatbelt or become distracted by their phones.
“Using any phone while driving is dangerous. Drivers who talk on phones, both hands-free and hand-held, are four times more likely to be in a crash resulting in injuries.
“We want to see if we can change driver behaviour and therefore improve road safety for everyone. Our advice is clear; buckle up and give the road your full attention.”
The trial of the vehicle in Warwickshire will continue throughout October. National Highways and AECOM will analyse results before a decision will be taken on the vehicle’s possible future deployment on the road network.
