Drivers have been left divided over the recent roll-out of AI-powered cameras at the roadside that are set to fine thousands more motorists.

The cameras are being used in a national trial and are able to see into vehicles to determine whether motorists are breaking a number of rules.

Peter Boulton, Director for Highways at Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM), hopes that the new cameras will help to reduce cases of injuries and deaths on the roads.

He explained: “In Greater Manchester, we know that distractions and not wearing seat belts are key factors in a number of traffic collisions on our roads which have resulted in people being killed or seriously injured.

“By utilising this state-of-the-art technology provided by Acusensus, we hope to gain a better understanding of how many drivers break the law in this way, whilst also helping to reduce these dangerous driving practices and make our roads safer for everyone.”

Rolled out across the country, the AI-powered cameras are able to see whether drivers are wearing their seatbelt or looking at their phone whilst on the move.

Previously trialled in Cornwall, the cameras caught around 300 offending motorists in a space of just three days. Trials also proved successful in Sussex, Greater Manchester and Durham, BirminghamLive reports.

Supporters of the cameras have argued that they will help to make drivers think twice before taking a chance with the law on the roads.

However, Ian Hajyazamanali, Head of Marketing at the vehicle retailer Big Motoring World, has claimed that other motorists have accused the cameras of being another way of gaining money.

He continued: “The introduction of these AI cameras has divided opinion and pulled privacy and safety into a head-on debate.

“With well over half of Brits being unaware of these cameras and their capabilities, it seems there is some distrust towards the new technology and a sense it’s a recoil of our right to privacy or a money gaining tool.”

According to a study conducted by Big Motoring World, which surveyed 2,000 drivers from across the country, 50 percent of Brits think the new AI cameras are a breach of privacy.

In particular, millennials (between 25 and 34 years old) are the least likely to support the trial, with half of drivers in the age bracket stating they plan to go out of their way to avoid the cameras.

Alternatively, motorists aged 65 and over were more supportive of the cameras, with 67 percent stating that they are justified in order to improve road safety.