Council bid to fund AI security cameras on high-risk road in Devon

The technology was tested over a four-week period in the summer.

Devon County Council A high angle view of the road showing it flowing into the Devon countryside. There are fields and trees. There are various vehicles traveling on the road, including cars and trucks. In the foreground is the AI camera installed on top of a vehicle. It resembles a small crane attached to the top of the vehicle with cameras attached. — The technology was tested over a four-week period in the summer.

Council officers want to use road safety funding to install an artificial intelligence (AI) camera on a road that was categorized as having a high risk of death and serious injury.

Devon County Council received more than £5 million in March from the Department for Transport’s Safer Roads Fund to improve safety on the A361.

Following evidence gathered during an AI camera pilot over the summer, it will bid to use £600,000 of that funding on technology to combat unsafe driving habits.

Devon councilor Stuart Hughes, cabinet member for highways management, said the pilot revealed a large number of people driving without a seatbelt or using a mobile phone.

During the pilot, 1,799 potential violations were detected over a four-week period.

These included 1,363 seatbelt failures and 436 mobile phone distraction violations.

Each is being checked by officers from Vision Zero South West, a partnership including Devon and Cornwall Police and the council which aims to reduce serious and fatal collisions.

Hughes, who is also vice-president of Vision Zero South West, said: “I am particularly interested in using the latest technology and innovation to target drivers with unsafe driving habits.

“By using cutting-edge technology, we want to reduce these dangerous driving practices and make our roads safer for everyone.”

‘Penalty points’

Adrian Leisk, head of road safety for Devon and Cornwall Police, said: “We don’t use these camera systems to catch people, we use them to keep drivers safe, encouraging them to wear their seatbelts and not use their phones while driving.

“But if you get caught, you’re in for a driver’s education course or a fine and penalty points.”

The route in North Devon between Barnstaple and Ilfracombe was one of 17 roads in England designated as high risk and received the largest amount of funding from the Safer Roads Fund.

Other improvements could also be made along the route, such as speed management and junction improvements, as well as better pedestrian facilities.