A GROUND-BREAKING camera system using AI to catch drivers using mobile phone behind the wheel has been launched in Starcross.

Police are trialling the scheme, which can also detect drivers not using seatbelts, and are rolling it out on select routes over the next two months.

The trial in Starcross is starting today.

It is being funded by a road safety partnership and overseen by Devon and Cornwall Police in an effort to deter drivers from distractions which can result in serious and fatal collisions.

The Acusensus system is housed in a vehicle equipped with multiple cameras which record footage of passing motorists.

Images captured by the cameras are processed using artificial intelligence (AI) to determine if motorists were using a handheld mobile phone or if drivers and passengers were without a seat belt.

It can also determine the speed a vehicle was travelling at the time.

Any images in which a potential offence is detected are then reviewed by a human.

If an offence has been correctly identified, the driver will either be sent a warning letter or a notice of intended prosecution, depending on the severity.

Supt Adrian Leisk, strategic roads policing lead for Devon and Cornwall Police, hopes the technology will help send a clear message to the small minority of motorists who continue to flout the law.

Supt Leisk said: ‘Using a mobile phone while driving is both dangerous and illegal.

‘It puts the lives of the driver, passengers and other road users at risk and that is unacceptable.

‘Despite repeated messaging and even a change in the law which makes any contact with a mobile phone while driving illegal, sadly there are still some people who continue to ignore the rules.

‘We are employing this new technology to send a clear message to anyone who continues to use their phone behind the wheel – you will get caught.

‘Whether it’s by the Acusensus cameras, a passing officer or on video footage submitted through Op Snap, the result will be the same and you will end up with a hefty fine and six penalty points – which could be enough to cost some drivers their licence.

‘It’s just not worth it.’

In 2020 a national road safety survey was commissioned by Alison Hernandez, Police and Crime Commissioner.

Of the 66,000 people who responded, 55per cent said they witnessed road traffic offences such as using a mobile phone or not wearing a seatbelt on a daily basis, with 21 per cent saying they witnessed them on a weekly basis.

And 81per cent of respondents agreed that road traffic offences required more enforcement.

Commissioner Hernandez said: ‘There are too many people being killed or seriously injured on Devon and Cornwall’s roads.

‘We know distracted driving is a common cause of collisions, which is exactly why it is illegal to use a mobile phone while driving.

‘By embracing new technology such as the Acusensus system, we have the opportunity to improve compliance with these laws and consequently make our roads safer for everyone.’

The new technology is said to make detection straightforward and to provide insight to police and policy makers on the current level of ‘road user behaviour.’