An artificial intelligence (AI) camera trial in the West Midlands flagged nearly 19,000 potential mobile phone and seatbelt offences in just two weeks, highlighting the scale of dangerous behaviour on the region’s roads.
The trial, conducted by Transport for West Midlands (TfWM) in March using technology supplied by road safety company Acusensus, took place outside fire stations in Birmingham and Wolverhampton. The findings are now being assessed to inform potential future police enforcement.
Initial scans at Ladywood fire station identified 11,045 potential seatbelt offences and 1,163 potential mobile phone offences. At Fallings Park fire station, the technology flagged a further 6,030 potential seatbelt offences and 757 potential mobile phone offences.
In total, the cameras identified 17,075 potential seatbelt offences and 1,920 potential mobile phone offences – 18,995 detections across the two locations.
The trial was designed to assess the potential scale of offending, rather than to issue penalties. No enforcement action was taken, and thousands of detections were validated by UK-based human reviewers.
Disturbing examples of dangerous behaviour
Images released by the authorities included a front-seat passenger carrying a small child on their lap without a seatbelt, as well as a driver holding a mobile phone with both hands while looking at its screen.
The examples highlight the risks posed by failing to wear a seatbelt correctly and using a mobile phone while driving. An unrestrained child can be particularly vulnerable in a collision, while a driver distracted by a phone may be unable to respond to hazards.
Geoff Collins, UK general manager of Acusensus, said: “Trial after trial tells the same story: people are continuing to ignore the law on using mobile phones at the wheel and wearing seatbelts.”
He added: “These results provide yet more evidence that this is a real road safety problem which demands serious attention. Every one of these behaviours has the potential to turn an ordinary journey into a tragedy.”
Mr Collins said the images involving children were “particularly distressing”, adding that ensuring young passengers are properly restrained “should be one of the most basic responsibilities before any journey begins”.
Findings to inform future enforcement
The trial was funded by the West Midlands Combined Authority, in collaboration with police and fire services. Authorities are evaluating the results to consider how AI camera technology could support future enforcement.
West Midlands Mayor Richard Parker has pledged to use available resources, including new technology, to improve road safety across the region. Police and Crime Commissioner Simon Foster said the partnership is considering how the cameras could be deployed for enforcement.
Mr Collins said the technology could help police identify potential offences “at a scale that would be impractical through conventional patrols alone”, with human review remaining an essential part of the process.
He said: “But detecting the problem is only the beginning. We need to use that knowledge to support education and effective enforcement, so that putting the phone away and fastening a seatbelt become habits on every journey.”
Comment on this story