A groundbreaking AI-based camera system is revealing a shocking number of drivers failing to wear seatbelts across the UK.

It is raising serious road safety concerns and disbelief that the simple safety device is being left unused.

The technology has caught thousands of drivers flouting seatbelt laws, sparking renewed efforts to enforce compliance and educate the public on the life-saving importance of buckling up.

Startling figures

Recent data from Safer Roads Greater Manchester highlighted the extent of the issue, with nearly 2,400 drivers detected without seatbelts at a single location in just 51 days.

Geoff Collins, UK manager of Acusensus, expressed his disbelief at the findings, stating: “When I first started delivering this solution to monitor our roads, I really thought that mobile phone use while driving would be the main issue. However, again and again, we’re seeing drivers needlessly putting themselves at risk by not wearing a seatbelt, when it is literally a life saver.”

Technology works

Acusensus, who have developed the AI roadside technology, call it the ‘Heads Up’ system.

It employs high-tech cameras capable of seeing through windscreens to detect seatbelt misuse and mobile phone use.

When a potential violation is identified, anonymised images are uploaded to a secure cloud for review.

If an offence is confirmed, an official case file is created for law enforcement.

After several successful trials with Devon and Cornwall police, Acusensus has now partnered with nearly half of UK police forces.

More are showing interest in the technology to curb unsafe driving behaviours.

Authorities are ramping up enforcement, hoping to reverse a troubling trend of seatbelt non-compliance.

Young males most at risk

Recent research by The AA Charitable Trust underscores the heightened risk for young male passengers.

Analysing five years of UK crash data, the study found that nearly half (43%) of young passengers (aged 17-29) killed in crashes were not wearing a seatbelt.

The data also showed that 68% of these fatalities were male, with most occurring at night.

Liverpool has found the trend is particularly concerning, and the authority are urging young people to “belt up in the back.”

In 2024, Merseyside recorded 14 casualties who were killed or seriously injured due to not wearing a seatbelt.

Six of those victims were aged 17-29, reinforcing the need for targeted awareness campaigns.

Enforcement and awareness

Liverpool City Council is now leveraging THINK!’s ‘CLICK’ campaign, launched in 2024, which uses relatable moments between friends to stress the importance of seatbelt use.

“It is an utter tragedy that young people are dying because they failed to put their seatbelt on. It’s such a quick and easy thing to do—and it could save your life,” said Dan Barrington, Liverpool’s Cabinet Member for Transport and Connectivity.

Merseyside Police has also stepped up enforcement, issuing over 3,000 seatbelt-related fines in 2024. Inspector Gavin Dixon from the Roads Policing Department emphasized: “The figures speak for themselves; you are more likely to die in a collision if you don’t wear a seatbelt. We will continue to use new and innovative methods to catch those who put themselves and others at risk.”

Missing the message

Despite decades of awareness campaigns and strict laws, seatbelt non-compliance remains a persistent issue in the UK. AI-driven enforcement is now playing a crucial role in identifying offenders, but education remains key. Wearing a seatbelt reduces the risk of death by 50%, and up to a quarter of young passenger fatalities could be prevented with stricter compliance.

As police forces expand the use of AI technology and local authorities push awareness campaigns, the hope is that more drivers and passengers will make buckling up a habit—before it’s too late.