Dangerous road to get £1m for cameras and AI

A notorious stretch of road in Devon will have £1m spent on artificial intelligence (AI) and speed cameras to cut offences by drivers and prevent other incidents.

The A361 between Ilfracombe and Barnstaple has been identified as a "high risk" road by the Department for Transport (DfT), with three deaths and 30 serious injuries between 2018 and 2022.

AI cameras can detect offences such as not wearing a seatbelt or drivers being distracted by mobile phones, backers of the proposals said.

Devon County Council's cabinet voted to approve spending £1m from a £5m DfT grant on the technology.

In a pilot scheme involving AI cameras last August, police recorded almost 1,800 potential offences of seatbelts not being worn or mobile phone distraction for motorists travelling from Braunton to Barnstaple.

Under the latest plans, three speed cameras will be installed at Knowle, Ilfracombe and Ashford.

Two average speed camera systems are planned between Ashford and Chivenor and between Knowle and Mullacott Cross.

The mounted AI cameras will be moved around between different sites along the A361.

Stuart Hughes, the county council's cabinet member for highways, said he was particularly proud of Devon being at the forefront of using AI technology to improve road safety.

Plans are being put together to spend the other £4m of the DfT grant on improving junctions and access to the A361 for walkers and cyclists.

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