AI Cameras Are coming to UK Roads. What Drivers Need to Know…

New detection technology is changing road policing

Why it matters for your safety and your insurance premiums

Advanced AI camera technology is being rolled out across the UK in a bid to reduce dangerous driving, and the statistics suggest it's needed. According to research from Confused.com, over 9 million UK drivers have been caught speeding in the last three years, with more now being spotted for mobile phone use and not wearing a seatbelt.

To tackle this trend, police forces in several areas are trialling artificial intelligence-powered speed cameras. Unlike traditional models, these AI systems don’t just measure speed. They can peer into vehicles, capturing high-resolution images that reveal whether drivers are using their phones or wearing seatbelts. They can even identify the make and model of your car.

What can AI speed cameras detect?

These cameras use a combination of high-definition lenses and artificial intelligence to detect:

• Speeding

• Drivers using handheld mobile phones

• Drivers and passengers not wearing seatbelts

In just one trial, cameras in Devon recorded 1,799 potential offences in four weeks, including 1,362 cases of seatbelt non-compliance and 436 involving mobile phone use behind the wheel.

Why are they needed?

Government figures highlight the ongoing risks on UK roads. Between July 2023 and June 2024 alone, there were 1,607 fatalities on the UK’s roads. The so-called "fatal four" causes of accidents (speeding, mobile phone use, not wearing seatbelts, and driving under the influence) remain key contributors.

AI cameras directly tackle three of these four causes. With 3.3 million speeding fines issued in 2024 (a 14% rise compared to 2022) councils and police forces are clamping down.

Where are the cameras being tested?

According to data requests sent to police constabularies, AI speed cameras are already operating in areas such as Durham, Humberside, North Wales, Staffordshire, and under trial in Avon and Somerset. Some forces plan further rollouts, while others are still assessing results from early trials.

What do the public think?

While 1 in 5 UK drivers believe AI cameras are an invasion of privacy, the majority are supportive. One-third believe the technology will make roads safer, and 14% say they’re now less likely to use a phone while driving. A similar proportion claim they’re more likely to wear a seatbelt.

That said, 36% of drivers want human checks on AI decisions, highlighting a degree of concern over accuracy.

How does this affect your car insurance?

Driving penalties, particularly those involving mobile phone use or speeding, can lead to higher insurance premiums. Fines start at £100 and three penalty points, but they can rise significantly based on how far above the speed limit you were driving and your income.

Penalty points remain on your licence for up to four years, and insurers take them into account when calculating your risk profile.

Welcome to the Future

AI technology is transforming the way roads are policed and it’s getting smarter all the time. Whether you agree with it or not, it’s clear that detection methods are becoming harder to evade. The message is simple: stick to the rules of the road. It’s safer for you, your passengers, and other road users, and it helps keep your insurance premiums down too.