Police worldwide are utilizing AI-powered cameras to crackdown on violations such as texting while driving and not wearing seat belts. These traffic cameras, equipped with AI technology, make it easier to prosecute offenders for driving infractions. The use of these cameras is rapidly expanding, with companies like Acusensus rolling out AI traffic cameras in countries like Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States. The “Heads Up” system by Acusensus captures images of vehicles passing by, including license plates and front seats, and uses AI to analyze the images and determine potential violations. This technology has been tested in the U.K. and Australia, sparking debates on privacy issues and attracting media attention. David Kelly, Acusensus’ vice president, stated that only images of violations are saved, and if no violation is detected, the data is deleted. The decision on what happens to the violation photos lies with local governments, and Acusensus does not retain violations data. In the U.S., the Heads Up Real Time Solution sends images to police officers to stop violations in real-time, whereas internationally, the images are used as evidence to issue tickets to offending drivers. Automated ticketing programs like Heads Up would require state legislation for authorization. Speed and red light cameras in the U.S. are familiar to drivers, capturing violations and sending tickets through mail. With AI technology, police officers can detect more complex driving behaviors and address violations promptly.
Kelly explained that receiving feedback on behavior changes immediately is crucial, unlike the typical scenario where people may forget after a few weeks. Law enforcement officials appreciate the ability to engage with drivers and address their behavior promptly. Heads Up Real Time, which currently focuses on commercial vehicles in the United States, has been implemented in North Carolina with great success. Since its introduction, seat belt violations have increased sixfold and phone violations have risen ninefold. The program has also been trialed at various universities, including the University of Alabama and the University of California, San Diego. These trials aim to collect data on unsafe driving practices anonymously. While the program does not involve law enforcement at universities, it is solely focused on gathering information on driver behavior. Acusensus takes privacy protection seriously, ensuring that all data is deleted at the end of each program and that personally identifiable information is not collected. However, some experts like Daniel Solove are skeptical of the model’s oversight and whether privacy protections are being upheld as promised.
In Queensland, Australia, where Heads Up is being used, the government has reassured residents about privacy concerns. The Queensland government revealed that two independent privacy impact assessments were conducted by an external provider, and the reports are accessible to the public. Acusensus, in a statement, noted that during a trial in Queensland in 2020, over 15,000 individuals were identified using their cellphones, and more than 2,200 people were caught without seat belts. Subsequently, the Queensland government announced a 7.1% reduction in road deaths since the installation of the cameras.
Regarding the handling of recorded violations, in North Carolina, images found to capture infractions are retained for investigative purposes. If a case is dismissed, the images are deleted. Access to these images is limited to prosecutors and investigating officers, with no external sharing, although adherence to this policy by external entities is uncertain. Ben Greenberg, President of the North Carolina Trucking Association, acknowledged privacy concerns due to the cameras’ positioning but emphasized the importance of addressing distracted driving.
Jolynn Dellinger, a privacy law and tech ethics expert at Duke University School of Law, suggested a potential trade-off between privacy and safety with enforcement technologies like Acusensus. She highlighted the evolving balance between privacy and advancing technology, emphasizing the need to evaluate the impact on privacy even in pursuit of safety. Utilization of technology for law enforcement efficiency was underscored, particularly concerning laws against texting and driving, which are prevalent across states.
Seat belt laws vary across states, with some allowing ticket issuance solely for non-compliance. Acusensus-equipped states enforce primary seat belt laws. While overall seat belt usage is high, commercial truck drivers exhibit lower compliance rates. Notably, texting while driving is a major safety concern in the U.S., with distracted driving ranking high among public worries. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported a significant number of fatalities in 2022 due to crashes involving distracted drivers.
