AI cameras installed to prevent dangerous U-turns on major road

Consumer Editor

4 minute read|18th Sep 2026

New AI technology cameras that are designed to detect dangerous U-turn manoeuvres have been installed at a ‘collision hotspot’ in Cornwall.

The first-of-its-kind camera, installed by National Highways in partnership with Devon & Cornwall Police and Cornwall Council, is currently in use on the Hayle Bypass section of the A30.

All are a part of the Vision Zero South West road safety partnership, which has previously used AI to help drivers in the region.

In fact, National Highways introduced a U-turn ban on this stretch of road in 2021 following a series of serious collisions.

Despite new signage being along the route to warn drivers of the U-turn prohibition, several near-miss incidents have still been reported.

According to Vision South West, in the past 2 years there have been 10 collisions, including one death, as a direct result of U-turns on this route.

Adrian Leisk, Head of Road Safety at Devon and Cornwall Police, said: “While a U-turn may seem like an innocent manoeuvre, the collision history on this particular stretch of road shows just how dangerous they can be.

“Despite the U-turn ban and prominent signage, a small minority of road users continue to make dangerous decisions on this route, which is why these cameras have become necessary.

“Devon and Cornwall Police will not hesitate to take action against anyone caught making an illegal U-turn. Please, don’t risk it.”

AI-powered road safety cameras had previously been trialled in Devon and Cornwall, which resulted in an improvement to driver behaviour. Police data revealed a 50% reduction in seatbelt offences and a 33% drop in mobile phone violations at monitored sites.

The previous cameras used artificial intelligence to identify potential offences, which are then reviewed by human assessors before any warning letters or prosecutions are issued.

RAC road safety spokesman Simon Williams commented: “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.

“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.”