Almost 19,000 drivers have been caught breaking road safety rules in just two weeks by newly activated AI cameras across the West Midlands. The cameras, part of a trial, detected thousands of motorists using mobile phones or failing to wear seatbelts, highlighting the scale of non-compliance on the region's roads.
Trial cameras spot widespread offences
The advanced cameras were switched on as part of a new trial and immediately captured thousands of drivers using phones or not wearing seatbelts. According to the West Midlands Combined Authority, the results illustrate how widespread the issue is and how driving safety rules are routinely ignored on a daily basis.
In one striking case, a front-seat passenger was found holding a small child on their lap with no seatbelt, leaving the toddler completely unprotected in the event of a crash. Dozens of other children were also being driven without age-appropriate restraints.
Cameras placed at fire stations
The cameras were placed at fire stations in Ladywood in Birmingham and Fallings Park in Wolverhampton. In Ladywood, over 11,000 potential seatbelt offences were detected, and another 6,000 in Wolverhampton. Just shy of 2,000 phone offences were captured in total across both locations.
Drivers are known to sit on their seatbelts to stop alarms fitted in most modern cars from sounding, a practice that leaves them unprotected in a collision. Police hope they can make more permanent use of the AI technology in the future.
Mayor and PCC respond to findings
Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands, said: “The number of people risking their own lives and the lives of others, including some very young children, is frankly shocking and far higher than we expected when setting up the trial.
“The law is clear on seatbelts and mobile phones. I’ve met families who have lost loved ones to reckless driving. They never recover from these tragedies; the grief is always there. People need to stop doing this, it is simply not worth the risk.
“As we review these results with our Road Safety Partnership and look to next steps, I promise to use every resource available, including new technology like this, to make our streets safer for everyone.”
West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner and chair of the road safety partnership board, Simon Foster, said: "These initial findings are deeply concerning. Let me be absolutely clear: reducing the number of people killed and seriously injured on our roads remains our absolute top priority.
“We are closely evaluating these trial results to consider how this advanced AI technology can be deployed for future police enforcement. We cannot tolerate reckless behaviour that puts lives at risk, and we will use every effective tool at our disposal to ensure our roads are safer.”
