Millions of drivers are caught speeding every year, and the cameras catching them are getting smarter - AI technology that can see inside your vehicle is now in use across the UK.
Key takeaways
- AI cameras can detect speeding, mobile phone use, and seatbelt offences from a single roadside unit.
- At least 10 UK police forces have confirmed AI camera use, with others known to be trialling them too.
- If you're fined for speeding, the minimum cost is £100 and 3 points on your licence, more for serious offences.
- Using a mobile phone while driving carries a £200 fine and 6 points, or automatic licence loss for new drivers.
- Not wearing a seatbelt can now cost you up to £500 and 3 penalty points.
What are AI speeding cameras?
AI speed cameras use smart technology to catch drivers who break the speed limit - but they do a lot more than just that.
These clever cameras are sometimes called phone detection cameras, as they can spot mobile phone use as well as speeding and seatbelt offences. They're pretty advanced too - the cameras can capture a full image inside your car, identifying the driver and even confirming your car's make and model.
And they're effective. A 2021 pilot on UK roads caught 2,342 drivers, and in Devon alone, these cameras detected 1,799 potential offences in just four weeks - including 1,362 drivers not wearing a seatbelt and 436 using a mobile phone while driving.
Why are AI speed cameras being used?
Safety is still an issue on UK roads. In 2025, there were 1,538 fatalities on UK roads, a decline of 4% compared to 2024.
The government says these 4 factors contribute to fatal collisions:
- Speed
- Alcohol and drugs
- Not wearing a seatbelt
- Mobile phone use
AI speed cameras could tackle 3 of these big issues, helping to cut down on casualties. These cameras don't just catch speeders; they also spot drivers without seatbelts and those distracted by their phones.
"Speeding remains one of the most common driving offences on UK roads, but it isn't the only danger. Distractions like mobile phones, and simply not wearing a seatbelt, continue to put drivers and passengers at risk too. "That's why the piloting of AI speed cameras is a step in the right direction for road safety. The technology can spot drivers and passengers not wearing a seatbelt or using their phone behind the wheel, helping to crack down on the behaviours that put people at risk. "If you're fined for speeding, the minimum cost is £100 and 3 points on your licence. But in some cases, the amount can depend on your annual income, which band your fine falls into, and how much faster than the limit you were driving. Using our speeding fine calculator will help you work out how much you might owe if you're caught."What our motor insurance expert says
Where are AI speed cameras being rolled out?
We last requested this data from UK police forces in January 2025*.
We're working on a fresh request to bring this up to date - in the meantime, the table below reflects the most recent confirmed information we have. Some forces may have updated their deployments since this request.
| Police constabulary with AI cameras | No. of offences detected | Plans for more AI cameras |
|---|---|---|
|
Durham
|
951
|
No
|
|
Humberside
|
882
|
Yes
|
|
Metropolitan Police
|
N/A
|
No
|
|
North Wales
|
53
|
No
|
|
Staffordshire
|
455
|
Yes
|
|
Avon & Somerset
|
Not yet installed
|
Piloting soon
|
As of October 2024, other police forces had also confirmed AI camera trials, including Greater Manchester, Sussex, Thames Valley, West Mercia, Northamptonshire, Wiltshire and Norfolk, according to RAC.
Are AI speed cameras an invasion of privacy?
Some people think they are -1 in 5 (17%)1 think that the cameras are an invasion of their privacy.
Others are concerned about the accuracy of the cameras. In fact, 36% of people told us that they hoped a person was checking over the new AI camera records. This group told us they were worried it might catch people incorrectly.
But despite these concerns, the overall feeling towards AI speed cameras is positive. A solid 33% of UK drivers believe AI will make our roads safer. Plus, 14% are now less likely to use their mobile phone while driving because of these cameras, and 11% say the same about wearing a seatbelt.
Which area in the UK has the biggest speeding problem?
Speeding is still an issue on UK roads. Almost 2 in 5 (38%) drivers have received a notice for speeding. And a third (32%) have even had two.
We asked police forces across the UK for their data. Here's how many drivers they caught speeding in 2024:
| Police Constabulary | No. of drivers caught speeding in the year 2024 |
|---|---|
|
Metropolitan Police
|
815,345
|
|
West Yorkshire
|
262,455
|
|
Devon & Cornwall
|
221,209
|
|
Greater Manchester
|
211,575
|
|
West Mercia
|
207,726
|
|
Avon & Somerset
|
135,472
|
|
West Midlands
|
110,355
|
|
Nottinghamshire
|
106,602
|
|
South Wales
|
79,914
|
|
North Wales
|
78,659
|
What are the penalties for speeding?
First, you can get a fine of £100 and a minimum of 3 points on your licence. In some cases, you could avoid a fine by going on a speed awareness course. These cost around £95.
But you could be fined more depending on how much you break the speed limit by. In these cases, your fine could be calculated as a percentage of your annual income. Only 1 in 4 drivers (24%) knew that these penalties existed.
If you've recently broken the speed limit, our speeding fines calculator can help you work out how much you might pay.
There's also the impact on car insurance. Some drivers we asked commented that their insurance increased by £139 after getting a speeding fine.
Calculate your speeding fine
The maximum fine for speeding is £2,500 - but in some cases, the amount you pay is based on your annual income. Yes, you guessed it, some fines are calculated as a percentage of your weekly earnings. The exact penalty depends on the speed limit and how fast you were going over it. Use our speeding fines calculator to work out your speeding fine.
Calculate your speeding fine
What are the penalties for using a mobile phone while driving?
Caught using a mobile phone while driving? That's a big no. It's not just speeding that gets picked up, either, speed cameras, including AI-enabled ones, can catch you on your phone too. If you get caught, you're looking at a £200 fine and 6 points on your licence.
If it goes to court, you could face a £1,000 fine or even a driving ban. And if you passed your test in the last 2 years? You'll automatically lose your licence.
What are the penalties for driving without a seatbelt?
You could be fined up to £500 and get 3 penalty points on your licence if you don't wear your seatbelt. You must always wear a seatbelt if there's one fitted.
Children should be in the right car seat for their height and weight until they reach 135cm or their 12th birthday, whichever comes first. If they're 12 or 135 cm, they should be wearing a seatbelt instead.
Not sure which car seat is right for your child? Our car seat finder can help you find the correct one for their height and weight.
Methodology
*In January 2025, Confused.com issued a Freedom of Information request, requesting the following information from UK police constabularies:
How many Notice of Intended Prosecution (NIP) for speeding were issued to drivers in the years 2022/23, 2023/24, and 2024/25? Please break down the data for each year by calendar year and month.
As of the 1st January 2025, how many AI-enabled cameras, which can provide evidence to assist in the prosecution of road traffic offences, are currently sited on roads within your area of responsibility?
From these AI-enabled cameras, how many Notice of Intended Prosecution (NIP) have been distributed? Please break down the data by calendar month from the start of their operation and broken down by the type of offence that was registered? Eg, speeding, not wearing a seatbelt, using a mobile phone, etc.
Please indicate whether you will be launching AI-enabled cameras on your roads, and when this is expected to be, and how many AI-cameras you expect to install.
1Unless otherwise stated, all research was carried out by OnePoll on behalf of Confused.com of 2,000 UK drivers. This was conducted between 14th and 19th February 2025.
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