Drivers warned these speed cameras can see more than just how fast you’re going
Motorists going away this summer could be hit with big fines as 10 police forces now using the devices
09:54, 05 Aug 2025
The cameras are set up on vans or trailers and catch drivers in the act of breaking the law on seatbelts or phones - now they will be fitted to motorway gantries(Image: National Highways)Motorists have been warned that new AI-powered cameras could catch drivers out for more than just driving too quickly on roads and motorways this summer.
A car repair finance expert from Bumper[1] said drivers could be hit with serious fines and points on their licence. The company said: "Unlike traditional cameras that only monitor speed, these smart devices detect drivers using mobile phones or not wearing seatbelts, aiming to crack down on distractions behind the wheel."
The police forces taking part in the National Highways trial are Durham, Greater Manchester Police, Humberside, Staffordshire, West Mercia, Northamptonshire, Wiltshire, Norfolk, Thames Valley Police, Sussex and Warwickshire.
Car repair financing experts at Bumper warned that these new cameras could have financial implications for drivers already struggling with rising motoring costs.
"The system uses a multi-camera setup to capture different views of the driver and passengers, with artificial intelligence analysing the footage to detect speed-related offences. However, any violations flagged by AI must still be reviewed and verified by police officers before fines are issued."
Drivers caught by these AI-powered cameras could face major fines:
- Using a mobile phone while driving: A GBP200 fine and six penalty points.
If taken to court, this could rise to GBP1,000 or even GBP2,500 for lorry and bus drivers, with the possibility of a driving ban.
- Not wearing a seatbelt: A GBP100 fine. If prosecuted in court, this can increase to GBP500.
"Initial results suggest the technology is effective - within just a few weeks, the trial cameras caught 590 drivers without seatbelts and 40 using their phones. The programme has now expanded in 2024 to include 10 police forces across the country, covering areas such as Durham, Greater Manchester, and Sussex."
"With so many drivers caught not wearing their belts and on their phones, the results speak for themselves - the more drivers fined for these simple errors, the fewer accidents we'll see, making our roads a safer place for everyone."
Using AI, the cameras capture and process footage of drivers who could be using a handheld mobile phone behind the wheel or driving without a seat belt on.
The cameras, which are mounted on the side of the road to a vehicle or trailer - are positioned higher than traditional speed or traffic cameras in order to catch drivers who are committing either of the two offences.
The National Highways AI cameras in the UK are linked to all UK police and Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) databases, so checks on car tax and insurance can also be carried out. Department for Transport (DfT) data showed that 400,000 drivers a year still use a mobile device when behind the wheel. During the initial trials, National Highways sent offenders warning letters informing them of the dangers of their behaviour.
Their research found that drivers are four times more likely to be in a crash if they use a phone while driving - and are twice as likely to die in a crash if they aren't wearing a seatbelt.
The aim for the police forces involved in the trial is to learn more about how the technology could work on National Highways roads and inform a possible future roll-out nationwide.
The agency also revealed that there are currently plans being considered for the technology to be fixed to gantries on motorways.
This means that they would have an unobscured view of all lanes.
RAC road safety spokesman Rod Dennis said: "Despite the penalties for using a handheld phone having doubled to six penalty points and a GBP200 fine seven years ago, it's clear far too many drivers are still prepared to put lives at risk by engaging in this dangerous practice.
"We suspect a major reason for this is a lack of enforcement, meaning many drivers have no fear of being caught. "AI-equipped cameras that can automatically detect drivers breaking the law offer a chance for the tide to be turned.
Article continues below"The police can't be everywhere all of the time, so it makes sense that forces look to the best available technology that can help them catch drivers acting illegally.
What's more, we know from RAC research that drivers are widely supportive of tougher enforcement of the law around handheld mobile phone use, with nearly half of these (47%) saying that camera technology like this is the best way of doing so."
The surveillance cameras previously caught 130 people driving without seatbelts in a 72-hour period after being deployed in a trial on one of Devon's busiest roads, the A30 near Launceston, last year.