Devon and Cornwall police check toddlers not wearing seat belts
- Police detected over 2,000 seat belt offences in Devon and Cornwall using AI cameras from July 25 to August 17, 2024.
- Among those caught, 109 children were identified, raising concerns about their safety in vehicles.
- Authorities plan to conduct safeguarding checks on the guardians of the children detected to ensure their well-being.
Between July 25 and August 17, 2024, police in Devon and Cornwall detected over 2,000 seat belt offences using AI cameras on three major A-roads. Among those caught were 109 children, including a toddler sitting unrestrained on a parent's lap in the front seat. Adrian Leisk, head of road safety for the police, expressed concern over the alarming number of children not wearing seat belts and emphasized the dangers they face in the event of a collision. The AI cameras, which are part of a 12-month project, are designed to automatically identify seat belt violations and are subject to human review to confirm offences. The initiative aims to enhance road safety and reduce the number of injuries and fatalities resulting from seat belt non-compliance. Leisk has called for stricter penalties, including points on drivers' licenses for seat belt offences, to deter such behavior. In response to the findings, police will conduct safeguarding checks on the guardians of the children detected without seat belts to ensure their safety at home. Leisk hopes that the visits will shock parents into recognizing the seriousness of the issue. The technology has shown effectiveness in changing driver behavior in other regions, and police are optimistic about its impact in Devon and Cornwall. The project will see the cameras relocated periodically, with future sites planned for Plymouth and Torbay. The initiative reflects a growing commitment to road safety and the protection of vulnerable passengers, particularly children, in vehicles.