Parents could be hit with a £500 fine on the school run this week as AI cameras could snap hundreds of road users breaking driving laws.
Drivers must wear a seatbelt at all times on the road and drivers can be liable if passengers are not strapped in.
As mums and dads rush to drop off their children at school and head to work, it is inevitable some will forget to remind their kids to buckle up.
Previously, motorists may have been confident of getting away with it on a short trip to the school gates.
However, new AI cameras have changed the game with road users across the UK now running the risk of being detected.
These devices can scan inside a vehicle’s cockpit and pick up whether drivers are on their phone or not wearing a belt.
Andy Moody, founder and managing director at GoShorty said: “Even though you may be in a rush, it’s important to ensure the safety of yourself and any children in the car.
“Failure to wear a seatbelt or having a child in the car that’s not wearing a seatbelt or in the correct type of car seat can land you with a fine of up to £500.”
The warning comes after analysis from Devon and Cornwall Police found thousands of individuals were not correctly wearing their belts behind the wheel.
Under a trial held between July 25th and August 17th 2024, 2,239 seat belt offences were detected by AI cameras on one route, the A388 between Saltash and Launceston.
Of these, a staggering 109 children were caught not wearing seat belts in a major concern.
Further analysis showed that more than 800 mobile phone offences were caught during the same time period.
The AI cameras have been under trial since 2021 with ten police forces leading the investigation.
Areas looking into the cameras include Durham, Greater Manchester Police, Humberside, Staffordshire, West Mercia, Northamptonshire, Wiltshire, Norfolk, Thames Valley Police, and Sussex.
Andy added: “Not for the faint of heart, drivers on the school run have to be careful on the road, avoiding the many hazards that rush hour presents.
“While always keeping your eyes on the road and driving safely, there are other highway code rules that could land you in trouble if you don’t follow them.
“Although getting the kids to school on time is a top priority, safety should always be number one.”
