The fight against drink driving has reached a new milestone in the United Kingdom. In the counties of Devon and Cornwall, police are currently trialling a revolutionary device capable of detecting drivers who have taken alcohol or drugs. This system called Heads-Up, developed by the Australian company Acusensus, uses artificial intelligence to analyze the behavior of vehicles on the road in real time.
Technology that observes every suspicious movement
The operating principle of this new generation radar is based on a sophisticated system of multiple cameras. These capture ultra-precise images of vehicles in circulation, making it possible to observe the slightest deviation in driving. Artificial intelligence then comes into play to analyze this data in real time. It examines in particular the way in which the vehicle moves on the roadway, its ability to maintain a stable trajectory, or its possible oscillations between the white lines.
Geoff Collins, managing director of Acusensus in the UK, explains that the system is able to detect abnormal behavior characteristic of driving under the influence. When a car zigzags slightly or struggles to stay in its lane, the intelligent radar detects it immediately. These signs, often indicative of excessive blood alcohol levels, trigger an alert to the police.
A system that is part of a global prevention strategy
This technological innovation does not replace the work of police officers on the ground. On the contrary, it reinforces it by creating a real synergy. When the system detects suspicious behavior, it transmits the information to intervention teams positioned further down the road. Officers can then intercept the vehicle in question to carry out a thorough check, including alcohol or drug tests.
Commissioner Simon Jenkinson, in charge of this pilot project, has clear ambitions. Faced with the still too high number of alcohol-related accidents, he is banking on this emerging technology to save lives. The Heads-Up system is part of a wider strategy to drastically reduce the number of fatalities on British roads.
An already proven technology that broadens its scope of action
The Acusensus company is not its first attempt in the field of road safety. The Heads-Up system has already proven itself in detecting other common crimes. In particular, it identifies drivers with great efficiency using their cell phone while driving or not wearing their seat belt.
This extension of its capabilities to the detection of alcohol and drugs represents a major advance. It demonstrates the considerable potential of artificial intelligence in improving road safety. If the experiment proves conclusive in Devon and Cornwall, this type of device could quickly become widespread across the entire British road network, or even export to other countries.
- New smart radar uses AI to detect drivers under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- The system analyzes vehicle behavior in real time and alerts the police in the event of suspicious driving
- This technology is currently being tested in the United Kingdom and could become widespread if successful
