Plymouth Plus can reveal new AI powered road safety cameras have now been installed in Plymouth.
The cameras will capture offenders using mobile phones while behind the wheel and drivers or passengers not wearing seatbelts.
Existing average speed cameras on Gdynia Way have been modified with two Jenoptik Distracted Driver Enforcement Systems being attached to the camera nearest to the Cattedown Roundabout.
This stretch of road has a history of serious incidents, with almost 30 collisions recorded in the area between 2020 and 2024, including 5 serious collisions.
The system uses two cameras to capture front facing and overhead images. AI is used to analyse the images for potential offences, including handheld mobile phone use and seatbelt breaches.
Devon and Cornwall Police have stressed that the cameras do not automatically issue penalties and that all flagged images are reviewed by a human before any enforcement action is taken.
Images of complying vehicles are not retained, in compliance with data protection laws.
If an offence is confirmed, the registered keeper will receive a notice of intended prosecution.
The camera system has been provided to Devon and Cornwall Police on a trial basis, with installation and set up costs met by the supplier Jenoptik.
Adrian Leisk, Head of Road Safety for Devon and Cornwall Police said:
“We don’t want to catch people – we just want motorists to stay safe by wearing a seatbelt and avoid distractions while driving.
“There have been numerous tragic collisions in Devon & Cornwall over recent years where sadly people have died or been seriously injured because they were not wearing a seatbelt. Had they been wearing one, they would still be with us.
“Around a third of all fatal collisions nationally involve someone who wasn’t wearing a seatbelt – and not wearing one means you are twice as likely to die in the event of a serious collision. We are pleased that the Government are consulting on introducing penalty points for those detected not wearing one without a statutory exemption in their recent National Road Safety Strategy.
“Similarly, we know that using a mobile phone while driving is highly dangerous and significantly increases the risk of a collision.
“It’s important to say that the vast majority of motorists do comply with the rules – in fact, less than 1% of the vehicles we monitored using the Acusensus cameras were detected committing offences.
“But if you are caught, you can expect either a driver education course or a fine and penalty points.”
Councillor John Stephens, Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning and Transport at Plymouth City Council said:
“We and the rest of the Vision Zero South West partnership are committed to reducing the number of people killed and seriously injured on our roads.
“Not wearing a seat belt puts you and other passengers at significantly greater risk of injury or death in a collision and using a mobile phone behind the wheel seriously impairs your judgement and reaction times.
“We will continue to work collaboratively on measures to deter and tackle irresponsible driver behaviour and make our roads safer for everyone.”
If the trial is a success, it is likely that other speed cameras across the South West will be modified to include mobile phone and seatbelt enforcement technology.
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