West Midlands AI road safety trial detects 19,000 offences

An AI-powered road safety trial in the West Midlands has identified nearly 19,000 potential driving offences within a two-week period. The study, conducted at sites in Birmingham and Wolverhampton, revealed high levels of risk-taking among motorists.

At the Ladywood site, cameras identified 11,045 potential seatbelt violations and 1,163 potential mobile phone offences. The Fallings Park location recorded 6,030 potential seatbelt offences and 757 potential mobile phone offences. Captured images included instances of drivers using mobile phones with both hands and passengers holding unbelted children on their laps.

West Midlands Mayor Richard Parker described the findings as “frankly shocking,” noting that the scale of violations was significantly higher than anticipated. The trial was funded by the West Midlands Combined Authority in collaboration with local police and fire services.