I found the AI cameras catching out a driver every other day and never felt safer

For a little over a year, a new type of speed camera employing state-of-the-art technology has been installed along a busy Midlands A road. These speed cameras were fitted on the A449 Moss Pit in Stafford at the end of 2023. Last year, the two 'smart' AI (artificial intelligence) cameras situated along the key entry road into Stafford captured 161 drivers between January and September, according to figures obtained by BlackCountryLive.[1] On average, a driver was flashed once every three days.

Staffordshire[2] Police said it was initially rolling out 20 of the new cameras, replacing older yellow box ones. The AI cameras appear more modern in design, with curved edges, slanted sides, and a flash device situated next to the actual camera on a horizontal arm instead of being encased together. READ MORE: New 'smart' AI speed cameras catch hundreds of drivers on Midlands roads in months[3]

ADVERTISEMENT Get breaking news on BirminghamLive WhatsApp[4], click the link to join Inside, the cameras feature upgraded technology.

Each one is equipped with a radar device to accurately measure the speed of a passing vehicle. The new cameras also don't have to rely on painted lines on the road to function. Instead, they use a digitally applied line to track a vehicle's speed.

Speed cameras along the A449 Moss Pit in Stafford

The cameras then automatically send images of speeding vehicles to Staffordshire Safer Roads Partnership's enforcement team, where a verification process takes places, before the images are processed as evidence against drivers.

The two cameras on the A449 are located only 0.2 miles apart. You'll find them as you ascend Moss Pit, passed a small railway bridge up the brow of a hill, heading into Stafford. Here, the speed limit is 30mph, having been reduced from 40mph around half a mile away southwards.

ADVERTISEMENT The first camera tracks drivers northbound, and the second southbound. It only took me three minute's to walk inbetween each one.

But even in that short period, I could see they were effective. None of the drivers going past me were speeding. Staffordshire Police[5] said it had placed the cameras at sites using long-term data.

With the 40mph limit reducing to 30mph a little further down the road, it's easy to see how speeding could be an issue here. Turning back on myself down the A449, I saw a souped-up Ford RST appear to momentarily speed up, only to immediately slow down at the sight of the second camera. It appeared the same for a few other vehicles emerging from the brow of the hill, including a large articulated lorry.

Although speed cameras are a bane to many drivers, it's clear to see they can be an important and effective tool at reducing speed.

References

1. ^ according to figures obtained by BlackCountryLive. (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
2. ^ Staffordshire (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
3. ^ New 'smart' AI speed cameras catch hundreds of drivers on Midlands roads in months (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
4. ^ BirminghamLive WhatsApp (chat.whatsapp.com)
5. ^ Staffordshire Police (www.birminghammail.co.uk)