‘World-first’ cameras that use AI to detect impaired drivers have been trialled in Devon and Cornwall.

The AI cameras were trialled by Devon & Cornwall Police across the region in December

The technology, pioneered by road safety firm Acusensus, detects road use and behaviour consistent with drivers who may be under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

This information is then communicated in real-time to police officers at a nearby location who can then pull the vehicle over and conduct further enquiries – potentially including roadside tests for drugs and alcohol.

The camera system, which is based on existing mobile phone and seatbelt technology, is relocatable and can be moved to different locations.

The system was trialled by Devon & Cornwall Police across the region in December, coinciding with other drink-driving campaigns such as Lift Legend, Operation Limit and Night Bus services in parts of Torbay and North Devon.

The campaign formed part of Vision Zero South West’s ongoing efforts to reduce incidents of impaired driving and cut the number of people killed or seriously injured on Devon & Cornwall’s roads.

Superintendent Simon Jenkinson of Devon & Cornwall Police’s Roads Policing Team said: “Drink and drug driving causes untold levels of harm – both here in Devon & Cornwall and all over the world.

“As members of the Vision Zero South West road safety partnership, we have committed to doing everything we can to reduce the number of people killed and seriously injured on our roads. Embracing emerging technology such as these cameras is vital in that quest.

“We have an expansive road network of nearly 14,000 miles in Devon and Cornwall meaning our officers cannot be everywhere. Camera technology helps us to target operational resources in an effective way, where intelligence informs our deployment.”

Vision Zero South West has already successfully worked with Acusensus on its ‘Heads Up’ AI camera system, which detects mobile phone and seatbelt offences, and continue to work together closely to explore other opportunities to detect and deter road-related harm.

Geoff Collins, UK general manager of Acusensus, said: “Driving while impaired is incredibly dangerous and quite often you only find out that a driver was drunk or under the influence of drugs after a collision has occurred.

“We are all safer if we can detect impairment before it causes an incident which could ruin lives. We believe this technology could be a really important tool in this battle, both detecting and also deterring impaired drivers behind the wheel.”