Have you ever been stuck behind someone not paying attention to the traffic because they were on their phone? Or perhaps there has been an impatient driver who has overtaken you dangerously?
We have all been in this position at least once in our driving lifetime.
These types of situations can be annoying and stressful, more so for those who may not be as confident behind the wheel.
2023 report form Compare the Market explains how 69.5% of drivers in the UK have experienced road rage, with 12% saying it is a weekly occurrence for them. With an influx in aggressive driving techniques, it’s no wonder there are still traffic incidents within the UK.
There are many drivers who obey the highway code as best as possible. So, it is frustrating when other drivers seem to do as they please, irrespective of the laws.
Although the Department for Transport (DfT) and other officers enforce strict measures for illegal activities, there are still individuals out there who think that they can get away with these offences. Whether they believe that they can’t get caught, or even because they feel more powerful behind the wheel of a car. Or, simply, they are impatient.
But what do we know about these driving offences?
Here are the Facts
Mobile Phone Use in the UK
The Government published statistics for seatbelt wearing rates and mobile phone use; and the results are shocking.
For weekdays in autumn 2023, statistics show that 0.3% of all vehicle drivers were observed using a mobile phone while driving.
To put this in perspective, there are approximately 50 million individuals with driving licences in the UK, and 40 million registered vehicles. This means that there was a total potential of approximately 120,000 people who were observed using a mobile phone while driving.
As it currently stands, you can get 6 penalty points and a £200 fine if caught using a mobile phone while driving. This fine is increased to £1,000 if you drive an HGV or bus. If you have passed your driving test within the last two years, you will also lose your licence.
Seatbelt Use in the UK
The report on seatbelt wearing while driving showed that 97.6 % of drivers and 95.2% of front seated passengers wore a seatbelt while driving. This means that approximately 2.4% of drivers are still not wearing a seatbelt.
Once again, referring back to the number of registered vehicles, that means that nearly one million drivers do not wear a seatbelt. You can be fined up to £500 for not wearing a seatbelt when you are supposed to.
Speeding Offences
Speeding is still a consistent issue. With the smarter design of vehicles, they can now go faster. This of course doesn’t consider the notion that many of UK roads have been set at the same speed limit for a long time.
Although many will proclaim that they don’t speed, there is normally one or two occasions where you may have not noticed the speed of your vehicle ever so slightly creeping up.
Even Articulated Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs) have been caught speeding. With the Government explaining that 39% of articulated HGVs exceeded the speed limit on 30 Miles Per Hour (MPH) roads. 2% of these exceeded by more than 10MPH.
Rigid HGVs were similar, with 42% exceeding the speed limit on 30MPH roads, with 3% of this exceeding by more than 10MPH.
Will we see a stop to these offences?
Probably not.
The matter of fact is that it is not possible to be able to catch every single offence on the road. However, we can educate drivers instead on the consequences of breaking the law.
Also, educating other road users on the hazards of the roads and driver behaviours is vital to keep them safe.
We have seen a plethora of campaigns from several organisations targeting the ramifications of driving offences. For example, Think! have been implementing road safety campaigns since 2000, helping to reduce incidents, serious injuries and fatalities by 46%.
There are other organisations, such as National Highways, who last year distributed the “Know the Zones” campaign to warn drivers of the minimal visibility HGV drivers have, and how sitting in an HGVs blind spot can increase the risk of a collision.
But what additional devices can be used to help reduce these offences?
Say Hello to the New & Improved Camera Operating System
Australian tech firm, Acusenses have created Artificial Intelligence (AI) speed cameras, which will be implemented by many police forces across the UK as part of an ongoing trial. These cameras will help catch drivers who use mobile phones, don’t wear seatbelts and/or speed excessively. The AI cameras are able to capture “…prosecutable evidence of illegal driver behaviour”.
They also have automatic number plate recognition, which aids in capturing drivers going at high speeds.
Camera Specs
Camera fitted on a trailer
This makes these AI cameras transportable, since they can be used in several locations. This can save costs on maintenance, since another camera can be swapped out while routine upkeep is completed.
Advanced recognition system
This aids in ensuring false positives are minimised, while actual offences are logged.
Capture images at any time, in any weather condition
From night time, to torrential downpours, or even sun glare. These AI cameras are expected to take images of offences which are clear and visible, which increases the chance of catching prosecutable offences.
But how do AI cameras work?
Implemented as early as last year, these AI cameras work by reviewing traffic flow, capturing images of passing vehicles with the additional use of infra-red flashes and a filtering system. The software will then review the stored data and images, detecting the potential offences. The camera then gives a reading of the offence likelihood/probability.
Acusenses released a video showing how their technology works when viewing driver behaviours on the road.
Published in June 2024, Acusenses explain how the DfT utilised their technology across 25 locations across England last year. In the first three days of operation in Devon/Cornwall, there were up to 300 drivers whom were caught using a mobile phone. It is evident that these new cameras are going to change the way drivers are monitored.
Along with the digital age becoming more prominent, we can expect to see an increase in AI cameras out and about. So make sure you are sticking to the speed limits, wearing a seatbelt and putting your phone away so you aren’t tempted by it while driving!
If you are unsure about any rules and regulations as the driver of a car, HGV or passenger carrying vehicle (PCV) driver, you can read the highway code.
What do 2 Start Think?
Any opportunity to increase road safety and reduce offences is a necessity. You can’t put a price on someone’s life.
Drivers are four times more likely to be in a crash which results in injuries if using a mobile phone. You are also twice as likely to die in a crash if you don’t wear a seatbelt.
The statistics are a key sign to not commit a driving offence. It is not worth the risk, especially if you are driving a commercial vehicle, where your visibility is already limited.
Similarly, this could also impact third parties, as the use of a mobile phone while driving, speeding or any other offences can increase the risk of a crash. Being able to police these offences with more clarity will help keep other drivers safe.
Implementing best practices when driving keeps yourself and others safe out on the road. With the rollout of AI cameras, this will further help tackle the situation and make road users think twice before committing these offences.
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