AI spots nearly 19,000 potential driving violations in Birmingham in two weeks

Drivers have been warned to fasten their seatbelts and put down their mobile phones after an AI-driven road safety trial recorded nearly 19,000 motoring violations in a fortnight. West Midlands Mayor Richard Parker described the "frankly shocking" results of the trial, carried out at two locations in Birmingham and Wolverhampton , as revealing levels of reckless behaviour behind the wheel far exceeding initial expectations. Among the most alarming examples of dangerous conduct were a front-seat passenger holding a small child on their lap with no seatbelt fastened, and a motorist gripping their phone with both hands instead of the steering wheel. Read more: Homeless man living in a tent says a number is keeping him on Birmingham's streets Scores of additional images revealed children travelling in cars without suitable age-appropriate restraints. The AI camera technology, installed outside Ladywood and Fallings Park fire stations, was used to record the footage during March. At the Ladywood location, 11,045 potential seatbelt violations and 1,163 potential mobile phone offences were detected, while Fallings Park recorded 6,030 potential seatbelt infractions and 757 potential mobile phone offences. Addressing the extent of the issue, Mr Parker said: "The number of people risking their own lives and the lives of others, including some very young children, is frankly shocking and far higher than we expected when setting up the trial. "The law is clear on seatbelts and mobile phones. "I've met families who have lost loved ones to reckless driving. They never recover from these tragedies, the grief is always there. "People need to stop doing this, it is simply not worth the risk. "As we review these results with our road safety partnership and look to next steps, I promise to use every resource available, including new technology like this, to make our streets safer for everyone." The trial received funding from the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) working alongside the police and fire service. Simon Foster, West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner and chair of the region's road safety partnership board, commented: "These initial findings are deeply concerning. "Let me be absolutely clear: reducing the number of people killed and seriously injured on our roads remains our absolute top priority. "We are closely evaluating these trial results to consider how this advanced AI technology can be deployed for future police enforcement. "We cannot tolerate reckless behaviour that puts lives at risk, and we will use every effective tool at our disposal to ensure our roads are safer." Following the trial, which sought to determine the potential extent of illegal phone use and absence of child restraints, no subsequent enforcement action is planned. Mat MacDonald, West Midlands Road Safety Commissioner, stated: "Mobile phone use at the wheel and failing to wear a seatbelt are two of the leading causes of death and serious injury on our road network, and yet you barely have to leave your front door before you see someone taking these potentially lethal risks. "Our work with this cutting-edge technology shows we will stop at nothing to stamp out such behaviours." The WMCA revealed that road safety figures for 2025 indicated mobile phone usage was connected to 32 fatalities and unfastened seatbelts to 133 deaths on Britain 's roads, while approximately 2,000 drivers annually across the West Midlands receive fines and penalty points for operating a vehicle while using a mobile phone.