Police to visit guardians of 109 children not wearing seat belts in Devon and Cornwall

In a recent initiative, Devon and Cornwall Police have identified 109 children under the age of 14 who were caught not wearing seat belts during a monitoring period from July to August 2024. The police utilized advanced AI cameras to detect these violations, which also recorded over 2,000 seat belt offences and more than 800 mobile phone usage violations among drivers. The head of road safety, Adrian Leisk, expressed concern over the alarming number of children not secured in vehicles, emphasizing the potential dangers in the event of a collision. To address this issue, police officers will conduct visits to the legal guardians of the identified children for safeguarding checks. This action aims to raise awareness about the importance of seat belt use among young passengers and to ensure their safety while traveling. Leisk has called for stricter penalties, including the introduction of penalty points for offenders, alongside the existing fines. Currently, the law imposes a £100 fine for not securing children in seat belts, which can escalate to £500 if taken to court. Leisk advocates for a system where offenders would also receive three points on their driving license, highlighting the need for greater accountability among drivers responsible for young passengers. The use of AI technology in monitoring road safety is seen as a significant step forward, allowing police to effectively identify and address violations. This initiative reflects a broader commitment to improving road safety and protecting vulnerable passengers, particularly children, in the region.