AI CAMERAS are being trialed at a “collision hotspot” near Frome in a bid to curb dangerous driving.

The new cameras will be stationed on the A361 Frome Bypass, which has seen six fatalities in the last five years, four of which were between 2023 and 2024.

The Road Safety Teams at Avon and Somerset Police and Somerset Council are working in partnership to try to reduce serious collisions on the road, used by about 15,000 vehicles a day.

The AI cameras are capable of detecting unsafe driving behaviours, such as illegal mobile phone use and careless driving, as well as failure to wear a seatbelt, as part of an ongoing package of road safety measures.

The software uses the latest learning algorithms and advanced image analysis, and provides real-time alerts for violations, which are reviewed by officers.

Currently it is proposed that those caught on camera driving unsafely on the A361 will receive a warning letter and educational materials to help them improve their behaviour behind the wheel.

Enforcement issues will be considered once the use of the technology has been developed.

The initiative is part of the police’s ‘Fatal Five’ campaign, which focuses on the behaviours most commonly linked with fatal and serious injury collisions. These are: speeding, distraction, seatbelt non-compliance, drink and drug driving, and careless driving.

Last autumn, Somerset Council’s highways team did some urgent work on the A361 junction, such as the refurbishment of lining, upgrading junction warning signs and the introduction of stop signs to replace give way signs.

An extension of the double white line systems on both approaches to the junction was also made.

Somerset Council has commissioned a review of the A361/A362 junction to look at the feasibility of options to make changes to improve safety.

Although the camera system can also monitor speeding, its speed detection capabilities are currently used for data gathering only, as they are not yet certified to be used for enforcement.

Councillor Richard Wilkins, lead member for transport and waste at Somerset Council, said: “This is an important part of a package of measures, some of which have already been implemented.

“The number of serious and fatal collisions on this stretch of road is alarming and we know the community is looking to ourselves and police to try to find ways to address this and ensure this is drastically reduced.

“In the long term we are continuing to look at potential wider measures on the road and will work with the police to build an understanding of what is required.”

Chief Inspection Rob Cheeseman of Avon and Somerset Police said: “Last year, 52 people were killed in 47 fatal road incidents in Avon and Somerset, with many more seriously injured.

“These tragedies not only devastate families but also place immense strain on emergency services and the officers who respond to them.

“By combining cutting-edge detection systems with proactive community engagement, AI cameras represent a significant step forward in road safety technology, helping to identify and deter dangerous driving behaviours before they lead to loss of life.”