‘Creepy’ AI pace cameras to spy inside automobiles to catch drivers utilizing cellphone
Mobile phone-using motorists face being collared by ‘Big Brother’ AI speed cameras.
The new snooping technology will allow cops to clamp down on both dangerous drivers being distracted by their phones while also snaring speeders.
Transport chiefs will roll out the roadside cams across the UK as Department for Transport research warns up to 400,000 of British’s 50 million drivers are still illegally using handheld devices while at the wheel.
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But privacy campaigners are raging over the new spy bots – branding them “intrusive” and “creepy”, and saying they will make everyone feel like a criminal suspect.
(Image: Getty Images)
Jake Hurfurt, head of research and investigations at privacy campaign group Big Brother Watch, ranted: “Unproven AI-powered video analytics should not be used to monitor and potentially criminalise drivers.
“This kind of intrusive and creepy surveillance which treats every passer-by as a potential suspect is excessive and normalising it poses a threat to everyone’s privacy.
“People should be free to go about their lives without being analysed by faceless AI systems.”
The AA is also warning artificially intelligent cameras must not become a substitute for traffic officers stopping suspect motorists who may also be drink driving.
A 2022 trial saw police crack down on drivers using mobiles and driving without a seatbelt with a new van that has an AI camera mounted around 21ft above the road.
(Image: Getty Images)
The unit sends encrypted “violation packages” of images to an officer for a human check before suspected law breakers are prosecuted.
At least a quarter of the 44 police forces in England, Wales and Scotland already deploy cameras that can catch motorists using mobile phones while driving.
Motorists holding a device at the wheel face being slapped with six penalty points on their licence and a £200 fine – which rises to £1,000 and a driving ban if they are taken to court.
Police forces taking part in the nationwide AI camera trial with National Highways are Durham, Greater Manchester Police, Humberside, Staffordshire, West Mercia, Northamptonshire, Wiltshire, Norfolk, Thames Valley Police, Sussex and Warwickshire.
AI cams last year snared almost 300 people committing driving offences in only three days after they were set up on one of Devon’s busiest roads.
Cops say pictures of suspect mobile phone users captured by the tech are anonymised to remove identifying features such as a number plate, passengers or make of the vehicle.
The images are only matched to registration details if a driver is prosecuted.
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