AI cameras can detect distracted drivers, phone use
AI camera systems used in traffic monitoring can detect whether a driver is distracted, using a phone, or not wearing a seat belt...
Traffic cameras are popular devices used by traffic police in many countries around the world to monitor traffic activities and detect drivers who violate the law. However, in an era of rapid technological development, especially artificial intelligence AI, cameras do not simply stop at determining traffic speed or whether a vehicle runs a red light or not... but can do much more than that. Accordingly, police in many countries around the world are now switching to using AI cameras to help them detect distracted drivers while driving.
After the traffic police forces of the UK and Australia... Recently, it was the turn of the South Lake Minnetonka Police Department in Minnesota, USA to be equipped with an AI camera system. According to the pageStar Tribune, since being equipped with the Acusensus AI surveillance camera system, the South Lake Minnetonka Police Department has detected 10,000 distracted driving violations on Highway 7 as of February 2025.
This AI camera system consists of four infrared cameras mounted on a mobile trailer that operates in the dark as well as during the day. The AI camera system can detect distracted drivers, phone use, and even cases where the driver is not wearing a seat belt.
Unlike conventional speed cameras, these AI cameras not only send data about the offending vehicle to the police force’s system for fines, but also send evidence to the traffic police on the road. Drivers face a $100 fine for a first violation, which can increase to $300 for repeat offenders. If the vehicle is not stopped, the camera images are automatically deleted within minutes.
Distracted driving is one of the biggest causes of accidents and has become much more common over the past 20 years with the rise in cell phone use, touchscreen infotainment technology and more. Like drivers in many other parts of the world, those in Minnesota are allowed to touch their phones briefly to answer calls, but are prohibited from holding the phone, texting, playing games and watching videos.