Safer Roads Humber is again working with National Highways and Acusensus in the use of new enforcement equipment that has been developed to detect motorists using a handheld mobile phone whilst driving or not wearing a seat belt.
The detection unit were deployed across the Humber region the week of the 10 June after a successful pilot in March 2023.
Ian Robertson, partnership manager, said: “Safer Roads Humber is pleased to be working with partners again on this project to detect drivers who use a handheld mobile phone whilst driving or failing to use their seat belt.
“National research shows that most drivers comply with these traffic laws, but a small minority choose not to, putting themselves and others at risk.”
He continued: “This state-of-the-art equipment increases our enforcement capability; our current safety camera vans can already detect mobile phone users, seat belt offences and other offences such as careless driving, but this specialist equipment gives us added capacity.”
The mobile phone and seat belt unit uses artificial intelligence (AI) to identify motorists potentially breaking the law. The image is then sent to an officer who completes a secondary check and only those committing offences will be prosecuted.
Safer Roads Humber is raising awareness of the ‘Fatal Four’ which are the main causes of collisions.
This includes speeding, using a handheld mobile phone whilst driving resulting in distraction, driving whilst impaired through alcohol and drugs and not wearing a seat belt, which determines the severity of injury in a crash.
Safer Roads Humber routinely detects these offences apart from impairment which is detected by Humberside Police who enforce all traffic laws across the area.
Ian Robertson said: “Using a handheld phone whilst driving whether texting, checking your status or ringing friends is a very deliberate act.
“Not wearing your seat belt is a very deliberate act and if you’re involved in a collision, you are more likely to be killed or seriously injured. We aim to educate as many offenders as possible, but anyone driving in this manner also risks prosecution.”
The enforcement unit will be visited locations across the region during the week of the 10 June.
Anyone detected using a handheld mobile phone whilst driving risks being fined £200 and receiving six points on their driver’s licence.
Anyone not wearing a seat belt within the vehicle will risk a £100 fine with the driver being responsible for any passengers under the age of 14.
Where possible those detected may be offered an education course as an alternative to prosecution.
