Motorists face £1,000 fines as AI traffic cameras expand across UK targeting major driving offences

Drivers across the UK have been warned they could face fines of up to £1,000 as more AI-powered cameras are used to check vehicles on UK roads.

The UK now has around 12,000 Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras, which scan more than 100 million number plates every day.

The cameras automatically check if a vehicle has valid insurance, road tax and an MOT.

More councils have also begun using the technology to catch drivers breaking traffic rules.

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In Gloucestershire, new ANPR cameras are being used to monitor offences such as illegal turns, driving in bus lanes and stopping in yellow box junctions.

Interest in ANPR cameras has been growing, with online searches for their locations increasing by 39 per cent over the past year.

The Government is also considering tougher penalties for drivers who fail to pay Vehicle Excise Duty, under the new Road Safety Strategy.

Under proposals from the Department for Transport, motorists caught driving an untaxed vehicle could receive penalty points on their licence as well as a fine.

Authorities could also be given stronger powers to seize vehicles.

Currently, drivers caught using an untaxed vehicle receive an £80 fixed penalty.

However, if the case goes to court, the fine can rise to £1,000, or five times the amount of unpaid tax, whichever is higher.

As the rules tighten, more drivers appear to be looking for ways to stay on top of payments.

Searches for monthly road tax payments have increased by 1,614 per cent over the past year, suggesting many people want to spread the cost while staying legal.

At the same time, court cases involving motoring offences are taking longer to resolve.

Analysis by Vertu, using Ministry of Justice Criminal Court Statistics, found that outstanding motoring cases have risen by 29 per cent since 2016.

The average time for these cases to be completed has also more than doubled, meaning many drivers now wait around three months longer than they would have done a decade ago.

Zack Rahman, General Manager of Vertu BYD Hartlepool, said drivers should make sure all their vehicle documents are up to date, especially as the number of ANPR cameras continues to grow.

He said: "Car admin is easier than it has ever been. Whether it's paying your car tax online or adding a simple calendar reminder a month before your MOT is due, it only takes a couple of minutes and can save you a lot of stress."

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Mr Rahman also warned that number plates need to be in good condition because ANPR cameras read them differently from people.

"There is a common misconception that as long as your plate looks readable, you're fine. But ANPR cameras don't see plates the way drivers do," he added.

He said something as simple as a misplaced screw cap, road dirt, or a worn reflective coating can stop cameras from reading a plate correctly, leaving drivers to deal with any problems that follow.

Mr Rahman said most drivers can check their number plates at home. He recommends using a torch and standing around 20 metres away to make sure the plate is still reflective and easy to read.

Motoring experts also advised checking that screws or bolt covers are not blocking any letters or numbers.

A badly placed fixing could make an eight look like a B, or a 0 appear to be a C.

Drivers with personalised number plates should also make sure the spacing follows the legal rules and uses the required Charles Wright font.

Finally, experts recommend cleaning number plates regularly with warm, soapy water, especially 3D and 4D plates, where dirt can build up more easily around raised letters and numbers.

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