The UK manager of road safety technology company Acusensus says new figures showing a growing number of young drivers are illegally using mobile phones shows technological enforcement solutions are vital in keeping our roads safe.
The RAC’s annual report on motoring quotes research suggesting the number of young drivers using phones behind the wheel has reached an eight-year-high.
55% of drivers under 25 admitted to making and receiving voice calls behind the wheel, compared to 27% of the overall driving population and just 16% of those aged 65 or older. This is up six percentage points on 2023 and three percentage points since 2016 when the data was first recorded.
“Those figures from the RAC were worrying and alarming,” commented Geoff Collins, who has long been a road safety campaigner and enforcement expert. “You’d maybe have thought older drivers, who may have learnt bad habits when mobiles were first widespread would still be flouting the rules, but the law against hand-held mobiles has been around for 21 years now – longer than most young drivers have been alive.”
Acusensus has invented its pioneering “Heads Up” Artificial Intelligence technology which uses specially equipped cameras which can see through the windscreen and into the vehicle, identifying cases where people are using their phones or not wearing a seatbelt as they drive past. The company has worked with AECOM to deliver the technology to National Highways and a number of police forces across the country.
“Most drivers need to reach 12 points to lose their licence, drivers who hit six points within two years of passing their test will be banned, and have to go through their test again to get it back,” Mr Collins added. “So, it’s clear they don’t fear being caught by a traffic officer, therefore – just like speeding – technology is required to change behaviour. If young drivers knew cameras were waiting to spot them using their phones, and that’d lead to a ban, that will hopefully get them to obey the law.
“Let’s face it, they’ve worked hard and spent a fortune to get their licence and so why waste it? Finally, if I want to be brutally honest with young drivers, you’ve got your whole life ahead of you – why risk it to pick up your phone?”
The Department for Transport’s Think! campaign points out that a driver is four times more likely to crash if using a mobile phone whilst they are driving.
(Picture – Acusensus)
