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With AI cameras on UK’s highways, littering drivers better watch out as the eyes of Big Brother are upon them
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–> by Sebastien Bell
2 hours ago
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by Sebastien Bell
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Drivers in the UK may want to stop littering, because it’s a repulsive habit. Also, the organization in charge of the country’s roads, National Highways, has revealed that it is installing cameras that can find instances of littering and fine the people behind them.
Although many highways in the UK already have closed circuit cameras on them, the only way to find offenders in the past was to pour over countless hours of footage manually. The new cameras will use artificial intelligence to automatically capture instances of littering.
Once found, the footage will be sent to a local council control room for review, as National Highways does not have the authority to issue fines. If the vehicle responsible for the litter is identified, the owner will be fined accordingly.
Read: NYC Buses Will Get Automated Cameras To Catch And Ticket Bad Drivers
Drivers will face fixed fines of up to £100 ($126 USD at current exchange rates), The Telegraph reports. While that will no doubt come as an unwelcome surprise to those who receive the fine, it’s not enough according to some.
John Read, the founder of Clean Up Britain, called the measure a “meaningless partnership” that will deliver “no results.” His organization has a 10-point plan that includes fines of up to £1,000 ($1,263 USD) for those who are caught littering.
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However, National Highways is sticking to the figure, and the cameras will be set up in East Hampshire to begin with. Authorities have not revealed precisely where the technology will be located, but it is understood that they will be dotted along the A3 highway, and at lay-bys (or rest areas).
The organization adds that the fines are just one of a number of steps being taken to help stop littering. It says it will also install new solar-powered garbage cans that can crush their contents to free up more space for garbage.
Meanwhile, at rest areas without garbage cans, geofencing technology will be used to send targeted ads to people’s phones, urging them to take their garbage home with them.
“Littering is a social problem across the country, and we’re working hard to tackle it on our roads,” said Freda Rashdi, head of customer journeys for National Highways. ”We regularly carry out litter-picking activities across our roads and are actively exploring other initiatives to address this problem.”
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