Inventors of the technology, Redspeed International, are global leaders in the field of camera enforcement, and are currently ‘pioneering the next generation of advanced road safety solutions through applied camera technology’.
The camera was installed on the A23 in Lambeth, South London.
The 4D radar and high-resolution cameras are able to tell how far over the speed limit a driver is travelling, as well as capturing those behind the wheel who are using a mobile phone or are not using their seat belts.
The tech can also be used to see if too many people are inside the vehicle.
According to the Redspeed website, their Sentio camera can be linked to DVLA and UK police databases to check tax and insurance. This can then be used to help with a prosecution of drivers breaking the law.
The camera itself can monitor up to six lanes of traffic and will be used in conjunction with other cameras on the roads.
On the company website it states: “Redspeed Sentio is designed to be whatever camera you want it to be.
“In combining several key enforcement applications and having AI at its heart, Redspeed Sentio has the built-in modular flexibility, capability and scalability to meet virtually any future challenge.”
However, there are critics to the trial speed cameras.
Brian Gregory, from the Alliance of British Drivers, said: “It’s clear that the hollow assurances the motoring public was given about speed cameras being used exclusively to prevent accidents was always a total sham.
“The objective is actually to maximise their revenue-generating potential.”
Jake Hurfurt, Head of Big Brother Watch, said: “This kind of intrusive and creepy surveillance, which treats every passer-by as a potential suspect, is excessive and normalising.
“It poses a threat to everyone’s privacy. People should be free to go about their lives without being analysed by faceless AI systems.”
Following the news of the trial in London of the new type of traffic enforcement camera, RAC road safety spokesman Simon Williams said: “While some drivers may criticise these cameras for unwanted snooping, the reality is that these days the police increasingly rely on technology to catch drivers breaking the law – after all, it’s impossible to have a police officer stationed on every street corner.
“When it comes to drivers using handheld phones illegally, we also know from research that drivers are broadly supportive of camera-based technology being used to enforce the law.
“Having said that, given the increasing sophistication of cameras and the potential for AI to play a role in the future, it’s absolutely vital these cameras are set up correctly and there’s an easy means of drivers challenging penalties and fines which they think are unwarranted.
“Drivers who stick to the speed limit and obey the law have nothing to worry about regardless of what cameras are in place. It’s also worth remembering that – unlike in other countries – all cameras have to be painted yellow, so they’re plainly visible to drivers.”
What do you make of the cameras? Should more of them be introduced across the UK? Leave your comments below
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