Drivers could be slapped with £500 fine for seatbelt problem detected with new AI cameras

A new AI camera technology is being trialled to catch motorists on a number of road offences, including not wearing their seatbelts correctly - if they’ve put it on at all

Drivers without their seatbelts on or correctly strapped in could now be caught without even getting pulled over by officers. A new state-of-the-art AI camera technology is currently being trialled to spot a number of offences including the likes of bad driving, not wearing a seatbelt or texting behind the wheel.

Being caught with a child in the car who isn’t wearing their seatbelt can garner a hefty fine of £500 while drivers themselves lacking the safety gear face £100 on-the-spot fines, three penalty points and a mandatory online education course which you’ll have to pay for yourself too. However, even if you are wearing a seatbelt, being strapped in wrong could be just as detrimental not just financially but also in regards to your health if you get into an accident.

Graham Conway, Managing Director at Select Car Leasing, explained how to appropriately wear a seatbelt, including for pregnant women and children, as well as the exemptions when you don’t need to be wearing it. The expert highlighted that drivers should adjust their seat, not their seatbelt, to ensure it doesn’t affect their ability to drive.

The lap belt should fit snugly across your hips, not your stomach, and the shoulder belt should cross your chest not your neck. The belt must not be twisted which can be dangerous in the case of a collision.

Additionally, if your shirt has a pocket it should not contain anything that could cause damage in an accident such as keys, pens or phones. The expert warned: “Do not tuck your belt under your arm - this defeats the purpose of wearing the belt and will not provide much protection in an accident.”

Pregnant drivers and passengers must ensure the lap belt is underneath their baby bump, lying across their thighs to avoid pressure on their stomach. The shoulder belt should rest on their collarbone and belly, settling between their breasts. Children under the age of 12 or shorter than 135cm must be strapped into a child car seat or booster seat.

There are some times when you don’t need to be wearing a seatbelt, as a driver or passenger. This includes a driver who is reversing, a passenger supervising a learner who is reversing, people in a vehicle being used for police, fire and rescue services and passengers investigating a fault in a trade vehicle.

Goods vehicle drivers travelling no more than 50 metres between stops for deliveries and licensed taxi drivers who are searching for customers are also reportedly exempt. There are some medical exemptions too and, if applicable, you must be carrying a Certificate of Exemption from Compulsory Seat Belt Wearing provided by a doctor.