Drivers have been warned of new enforcement cameras launching today, which will see offenders face hefty fines and penalty points.
Sussex Police have rolled out new artificial intelligence cameras across the county as part of a fresh crackdown on dangerous drivers.
The new cameras, which went live today, have been designed to catch drivers using mobile phones or not wearing seatbelts, both of which are part of the "Fatal Five" - the main causes of serious road accidents.
The move forms part of Operation Spotlight, a nationwide policing campaign running throughout April, with a particular focus on seatbelt use.
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The AI system, supplied by Acusensus, will be used for several weeks before being reviewed, and is funded through road safety recovery costs, including money raised from speed awareness courses.
Police explained how the rollout follows a successful trial in Sussex in 2024, when the cameras detected 458 offences in just seven days.
Of those, 330 drivers were caught not wearing a seatbelt, while 118 were using a mobile phone at the wheel. A further 10 motorists were committing both offences at the same time.
Over the past three years, 82 people in Sussex have been involved in crashes where a driver was using a mobile phone, while 214 people have been injured in collisions linked to not wearing a seatbelt.
The new cameras hope to crack down on dangerous driving habits
|SUSSEX POLICE/GETTY
Drivers caught by the new cameras could face tough penalties, as using a mobile phone carries six penalty points and a £200 fine.
In more serious cases, motorists can be taken to court, where they risk a driving ban and fines of up to £1,000, or £2,500 for lorry and bus drivers.
Drivers caught not wearing a seatbelt can result in a fine of up to £500, while speeding offences can also lead to penalties including a £100 fine and three points, a speed awareness course, or a court appearance where drivers could be banned.
Drink or drug driving remains one of the most serious offences, with offenders facing a possible driving ban of at least 12 months if convicted.
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Drivers can be slapped with a £500 fine if they do not wear their seatbelts
| GETTYChief Constable Jo Shiner said: "We regularly hear from our communities across Sussex that they are tired of seeing people using their mobile phones whilst driving, therefore increasing the risk to everyone around them.
"And while we endeavour to respond to these concerns and proactively patrol wherever possible, the reality is we cannot be everywhere all of the time. These AI cameras are not designed to replace modern-day policing, but to enhance it.
"By embracing the technology available to us, we can build a better picture of driver behaviour, influence behavioural change and take action where necessary."
Drivers face a £200 fine and six penalty points if they use their phone at the wheel | GETTYPolice and Crime Commissioner Katy Bourne said the rollout delivers on a key pledge to crack down on the Fatal Five.
She added: "The trial of AI camera systems is another promise delivered. We must not be afraid to challenge friends, family members, or anyone getting behind the wheel if they are using a mobile phone or failing to wear a seatbelt."
Ms Bourne also urged the public to challenge unsafe behaviour and avoid any "poor decisions" which risk the lives of all road users.
Geoff Collins, UK General Manager at Acusensus, added that the technology would help target behaviour that concerns many drivers.
"Appropriate use of new technology now allows us to identify and evidence this in a way that would be impractical for conventional road policing," he said.