AI cameras catch children not wearing seat belts in Devon and Cornwall

Devon and Cornwall Police has stated that it was ‘truly alarming’ to see that its AI cameras have caught children caught on camera not wearing seat belts.

The police found that a total of 109 children were amongst over 2,000 people caught without their seat belts on A-roads from July and August.

Adrian Leisk, the head of road safety for Devon and Cornwall Police, has called on the government to introduce seat belt offences to have penalty points associated with those who are caught.

He believes that alongside the current £500 fine should be accompanied by three points on the offender’s licence.

Leisk also stated that police officers would be visiting the legal guardians of the 109 children caught not wearing seat belts for a ‘safeguarding check’.

He said: "I'm struggling to understand why people think it's OK not to wear a seat belt, particularly young people in their vehicles.

"In the event of a forward collision or if the vehicle were to brake sharply, the weight of the parent would crush the child against the front of the car."

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Artificial intelligence (AI) cameras have been introduced in the region in recent years in a series of trials – and have caught drivers using mobile phones, passengers using the steering wheel, alongside not wearing seat belts.

They are positioned higher than traditional speed and security cameras seen across UK roads.

AI cameras use advanced vehicle monitoring systems that can see inside the vehicles to monitor and analyse driver activity – and then the results are sent to the local police force to analyse.

RAC road safety spokesman Rod Dennis said: “AI-equipped cameras that can automatically detect drivers breaking the law offer a chance for the tide to be turned.

“The police can’t be everywhere all of the time, so it makes sense that forces look to the best available technology that can help them catch drivers acting illegally.”

Data collected by Vision Zero South West, Devon and Cornwall Police showed that between July 25th and August 17th 2024, 2,239 seat belt offences were detected by AI cameras on the A388 between Saltash and Launceston.

Further analysis showed that more than 800 mobile phone offences were caught during the same time period.