Transport for Greater Manchester has released alarming CCTV images of drivers using mobile phones and not wearing seatbelts, highlighting the findings of a recent trial.

Over a five-week period, from September 3 to October 24, a total of 3,205 violations were recorded on Greater Manchester roads.

The ultra-detailed images, which do not show faces but capture the alarming behavior of motorists, serve as a stark reminder of the ongoing issue in the city region. Civic leaders have described these images as a "wake-up call" for motorists who ignore traffic laws.

In September, details emerged regarding the deployment of new AI cameras across Greater Manchester, capable of detecting whether drivers are using mobile phones or wearing seatbelts. The advanced technology records footage of passing vehicles, which is analyzed by AI before a human reviews it to verify any offenses.

The trial's findings revealed that 812 drivers were recorded using mobile phones while 2,393 incidents of seatbelt non-compliance were noted, involving both drivers and passengers.

Some images depict drivers holding phones while driving, sometimes accompanied by passengers, including children, who were also not secured by seatbelts.

These results were announced during Brake Road Safety Week, in support of Greater Manchester's Vision Zero Strategy aimed at eliminating road deaths and serious injuries by 2040. The data will guide future education campaigns and enforcement efforts.

A TfGM spokesperson emphasized that AI technology helps protect the privacy of the majority of law-abiding motorists. Detected offenses have been forwarded to the police for further action, while images showing no violations were deleted immediately.

Kate Green, Deputy Mayor of Greater Manchester, stated, "This trial aims to better understand the scale of the problem in Greater Manchester. These images show the risks involved when drivers are distracted or fail to wear seat belts." She highlighted the need for further improvements to make the roads safer for all users.

In the past decade, nearly 10,000 individuals have been killed or seriously injured on roads in Greater Manchester. Between 2018 and 2022, vulnerable road users, including pedestrians, cyclists, and motorcyclists, accounted for nearly two-thirds of casualties, while drivers and passengers comprised 34 percent.

Dame Sarah Storey, Active Travel Commissioner for Greater Manchester, commented on the trial's outcome, stating, "The results expose the concerning behavior of many drivers who do not consider how their actions affect themselves and others on the road." The camera system was developed by technology company Acusensus.