AI Cameras Detect 8,500 Mobile Phone Users on AP-7 and A-2

The Catalan Traffic Service has tested a system capable of identifying mobile phone and seatbelt use with over 70% accuracy.

Close-up of a car's dashboard with a hand holding a smartphone, the road blurred in front.
IA

Close-up of a car's dashboard with a hand holding a smartphone, the road blurred in front.

The Catalan Traffic Service (SCT) has piloted an innovative system using artificial intelligence and high-definition cameras to identify drivers using mobile phones or failing to wear seatbelts correctly on the AP-7 and A-2 motorways.

During June and July, trials detected over 8,500 instances of mobile phone use and approximately 4,500 seatbelt violations. The technology, installed in a mobile trailer, can identify drivers holding phones or resting them on their laps, a particularly dangerous practice due to the distraction it causes.
The system employs high-definition cameras to capture vehicle interiors and AI algorithms for automatic image analysis. Its accuracy exceeded 70% for general violation detection, reaching over 84% for mobile phone use. Data from the A-2, near Cornellà de Llobregat, indicated about 5% of drivers used their phones, compared to 3.6% on the AP-7. Overall, mobile phone usage averaged 4.3%, being more common midweek (Wednesday to Friday) during peak hours (11:30 AM to 3:30 PM).
Regarding seatbelt compliance, violations were slightly higher on the AP-7 (1.8%) than the A-2 (1.2%). These infractions increased on weekends, especially Saturdays, and were more frequent during nighttime and early morning hours.
Currently, the cameras are in a testing phase, with no set date for enforcement. The SCT plans to evaluate their integration into the 2027-2030 Road Safety Plan to enhance controls and combat driver distractions. The technology could provide more precise data on when and where these risky behaviors occur, informing future road safety campaigns.