“World-First” AI Camera Trials Aim to Keep Devon and Cornwall’s Roads Safer

A groundbreaking “world-first” trial in Devon and Cornwall is testing an advanced artificial intelligence camera system designed to identify drivers impaired by alcohol or drugs. The cutting-edge device, known as the Heads-Up machine, represents a new frontier in road safety, promising to play a vital role in preventing accidents before they occur. Developed by road safety technology company Acusensus, the system uses cameras and AI to detect behavior suggesting a driver may be under the influence. Once the AI flags a potential offense, police positioned further along the road can intercept the vehicle, speak with the driver, and conduct a roadside test for alcohol or illegal drugs.

The technology has already shown significant results in related areas of enforcement. During a three-day trial on the A30 near Launceston, the Heads-Up camera detected 117 mobile phone offenses and 180 seatbelt offenses, highlighting its capability to identify a wide range of high-risk behaviors. This success has encouraged law enforcement and safety groups to explore its potential in tackling the far more dangerous issue of driving under the influence. With impaired drivers being six times more likely to be involved in a fatal crash, the focus on this innovative trial is intense. The system could help save countless lives by preventing incidents before they happen.

What sets the Heads-Up camera apart is its accuracy, mobility, and discretion. Without warning, the free-standing system can be moved quickly and easily to any road in Devon or Cornwall, ensuring that motorists cannot predict its location. This flexibility is crucial in deterring unsafe driving, as the uncertainty alone may encourage more responsible behavior behind the wheel. Drivers will only know they have been recorded once police officers pull them over or when they receive a warning letter or notice of intended prosecution. Although AI is at the heart of this technology, each flagged image is carefully reviewed by a human before any formal action is taken, ensuring that accusations are properly substantiated and fair treatment is maintained.

Geoff Collins, UK general manager of Acusensus, expressed delight at being able to conduct these “world-first” trials in Devon and Cornwall, emphasizing how everyone on the roads benefits from detecting impairment before it leads to tragedy. The sentiment is echoed by Superintendent Simon Jenkinson of Devon & Cornwall Police, who notes that officers cannot be everywhere at once. By embracing emerging technologies, the force seeks to reduce the number of people killed or seriously injured on the region’s 14,000 miles of roads. As part of the Vision Zero South West road safety partnership, this trial aligns with ongoing efforts and other drink-driving campaigns throughout December, further illustrating a coordinated approach to tackling the problem.

Integrating AI into road safety measures is a logical step in an era where technology is rapidly changing every aspect of daily life. The Heads-Up system offers a proactive, innovative solution, whether it is catching drivers using mobile phones, those not wearing seatbelts, or putting lives at risk by driving under the influence. If successful, this trial could pave the way for widespread adoption of similar measures, ensuring that roads are safer for everyone and that the risk posed by impaired drivers diminishes significantly.