New spy-in-the-sky camera that caught 15,000 drivers using phones in six months can even catch you eating or drinking behind the wheel, its makers say

 A new spy-in-the-sky camera which identified 15,000 cases of drivers using mobile phones could also catch motorists eating, drinking, or not wearing a seatbelt, its makers say.  

Smart cameras linked to a new, automated system using artificial intelligence (AI) are being trialled on an undisclosed motorway - ahead of a blanket ban on holding a mobile device while driving which comes into force in early 2022.

The cameras instantly analyse high-definition photos taken through the windscreen of passing cars, and Jenoptik, the enforcement technology firm testing the cameras in the UK, believes they will be crucial in providing evidence to prosecute offenders.

The pilot scheme has been running since spring and it is hoped a wider rollout across the country will be possible next year.

But Acusensus, the Australian firm who designed the cameras, admits that they can be used to catch motorists doing anything from eating, drinking, smoking, adjusting the radio or using navigation devices in a holder.

The company says in a brochure that the system 'addresses all forms of distraction, beyond the illegal use of mobile phones'.    

The technology, which can also catch drivers not wearing a seatbelt, is already used in New South Wales (NSW), Australia, where it is estimated to have reduced road fatalities by a fifth since it was introduced two years ago.  

But local reports reveal that a bungled rollout of the mobile speed cameras in NSW resulted in drivers in the south of the state avoiding fines, while those in the north were caught out. 

The state government blamed Acusensus, which was awarded a $77million (£41million) contract to operate the cameras in southern NSW, for not being able to buy enough vehicles due to the impact of coronavirus, the Sydney Morning Herald reported.

A driver is caught on camera using their mobile phone while driving on the motorway

A driver is caught on camera using their mobile phone while driving on the motorway

The technology, which can also catch drivers not wearing a seatbelt, is already used in New South Wales (NSW), Australia, where it is estimated to have reduced road fatalities by a fifth since it was introduced two years ago

The technology, which can also catch drivers not wearing a seatbelt, is already used in New South Wales (NSW), Australia, where it is estimated to have reduced road fatalities by a fifth since it was introduced two years ago

The company says in a brochure that the system 'addresses all forms of distraction, beyond the illegal use of mobile phones'

The company says in a brochure that the system 'addresses all forms of distraction, beyond the illegal use of mobile phones'

Acusensus, the Australian firm who designed the cameras, admits that they can be used to catch motorists doing anything from eating, drinking, smoking, adjusting the radio or using navigation devices in a holder. The company says in a brochure that the system 'addresses all forms of distraction, beyond the illegal use of mobile phones'

Acusensus, the Australian firm who designed the cameras, admits that they can be used to catch motorists doing anything from eating, drinking, smoking, adjusting the radio or using navigation devices in a holder. The company says in a brochure that the system 'addresses all forms of distraction, beyond the illegal use of mobile phones'

But fine revenue from the government's mobile speed camera program had risen to $23.7million (£12.7million) in the year leading up to June - ten times the $2.3million (£1.24million) in the previous period. 

Figures revealed that the top 100 locations for mobile speed camera fines in July were in the north, while zero tickets were issued in Wagga Wagga and Queanbeyan in July - down from 339 and 152 respectively in the prior month. 

The roads spokesman for the country's Labor Party, John Graham, said Acusensus's failure to deliver led to a 'major inequity', with a record number of fines in the north of the state - but nearly zero in the south. 

Those in the UK who were identified in the trial have not been penalised as the trial is a 'proof of concept'.

The cameras – which can be fixed to overhead gantries or fitted in portable trailers – use very high shutter speeds to take pictures through the windscreens of each passing vehicle.

High-definition images are produced in any weather and at speeds of up to 185mph without any motion blur. 

New high-tech cameras can instantly capture motorists calling, texting or scrolling at the wheel, as is pictured above

New high-tech cameras can instantly capture motorists calling, texting or scrolling at the wheel, as is pictured above

The new cameras that take pictures through car windscreens of drivers using their phones at the wheel

The new cameras that take pictures through car windscreens of drivers using their phones at the wheel

Sophisticated software sifts through each image in real time and flags anyone deemed to be breaking the law to a team of human moderators to review.

If use of the cameras is approved by law, the images would be sent to police and notices of intended prosecution posted to the vehicle's owner in the same way as speeding penalties.

In November the UK Government announced that motorists would be banned from picking up their mobiles for any reason while driving from next year.

Offenders will face a fine of up to £200 and six points on their licence. It is designed to close a loophole in the current law that means drivers can be prosecuted only if they are caught using hand-held phones to call or text.  

One in four drivers admitted using a phone in their hand while driving at least once in the past 12 months, according to a survey by the Department for Transport.

If a driver looks at their phone for two seconds while travelling at 30mph, they will travel 100ft blind.

THE LAW ON EATING, DRINKING, SMOKING, SEATBELTS, AND USING PHONES 

Mobile Phones 

It is illegal to text or make a phone call (other than in an emergency) using a hand-held device while driving. 

As of 2022, laws will go further to ban drivers from using their phones to take photos or videos, scroll through playlists or play games.

This will mean anyone caught using their hand-held device while driving will face a £200 fixed penalty notice and 6 points on their licence.

Drivers will still be able to continue using a device 'hands-free' while driving, such as a sat-nav, if it's secured in a cradle. They must, however, always take responsibility for their driving and can be charged with an offence if the police find them not to be in proper control of their vehicle.

Laws had previously banned motorists from using their phones for communication purposes, but rules have since been updated to ban the holding of phones for any reason.

It is only legal to use a mobile phone if you are safely parked – which does not include waiting in traffic or while stationary at traffic lights.

In emergencies, you are allowed to make 999 or 112 calls while driving, but only if it is not otherwise safe to stop.

The penalty for being caught using a mobile phone is a Fixed Penalty Notice of £200, and six penalty points on your licence.

Eating, drinking and smoking

It is not illegal to eat while driving, but if a driver becomes distracted and is not in proper control of the vehicle then police could prosecute for careless driving - meaning an on-the-spot fine of £100 and three penalty points. 

Like eating, it is not illegal to drink while behind the wheel, but it could carry the same careless driving penalty if motorists become distracted.

Smoking is also not illegal, but again, if it causes distraction behind the wheel, it could mean a charge of careless driving.

However, travelling with passengers aged under 18 and smoking in the car is illegal, following changes to the law made in 2015. 

Seatbelts

Drivers must wear a seat belt if one is fitted in the seat they are using.

A few exceptions apply, including drivers who are reversing, driving a goods vehicle on deliveries travelling no more than 50 metres per stops, or a licensed taxi 'plying for hire' or carrying passengers. 

A doctor may say a driver does not have to wear a seat belt for a medical reason, handing out a 'Certificate of Exemption from Compulsory Seat Belt Wearing' 

Motorists are only allowed one person in each seat fitted with a seat belt, and can be fined up to £500 if they do not wear a seat belt when supposed to

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