Sussex joins the forefront of road safety innovation as one of ten police forces across England to deploy advanced surveillance technology on the A23 by Handcross. This new system, mounted on vehicles or trailers, is equipped with multiple cameras to monitor driver and passenger behaviour, specifically targeting seatbelt usage and mobile phone handling while driving.

Initiated in 2021, the technology trial aims to enhance road safety by identifying and addressing risky driving behaviours. Early phases involved sending warning letters to offenders and educating them on the potential dangers of their actions. With statistics indicating a significant increase in crash risks associated with mobile phone use and not wearing seatbelts, the initiative underscores the importance of adherence to road safety regulations.

In collaboration with AECOM, the trial, which commenced on 19 February, is set to extend until March 2025, exploring the technology’s effectiveness and its potential for broader application across the UK’s road network. Future enhancements include mounting the technology on gantries and offering comprehensive coverage of all traffic lanes.

Utilising artificial intelligence, the system processes captured footage to identify potential infractions, with the data subsequently reviewed by police for possible enforcement actions. Offenders risk fines of up to £500 for seatbelt violations and up to £1,000 plus penalty points for mobile phone use while driving.

Assistant Chief Constable Simon Dobinson, Head of Operations for Sussex Police, said: “This is an exciting initiative and I’m looking forward to seeing the outcomes from the initial trial. It gives us a unique opportunity to learn how AI-enabled cameras can potentially support Partnership colleagues and ourselves in influencing driver behaviour and keeping motorists safe on our roads.”

Although the research is funded by National Highways, enforcement of motoring offences will remain a matter for individual police forces.