KNOW YOUR RIGHTS ROAD TRAFFIC LAW IN THE HEADLINES:


WHAT THE STORIES REALLY MEAN FOR DRIVERS


Over the last month there have been a number of road traffic related stories in the press, each of them generating strong reactions from drivers who understandably want to


know what these


developments actually mean for them. The difficulty is that most news articles tend to focus on the headline rather than the underlying law, and very few explain what options drivers have, what risks they should be aware of, or how these changes might affect them moving forward.


Below we break down some of the key stories from the last few weeks and explain the legal position in practical terms.


AI cameras and automated enforcement


In October, the BBC reported that a new AI camera in the West Midlands had detected nearly 19,000 road traffic offences in a few weeks. The examples highlighted included a front seat passenger holding a small child on their lap without a seatbelt, and a driver holding a mobile phone with both hands.


The offences they can capture include: l Speeding - Many AI cameras still record speed in the traditional way. If you exceed the limit, you can expect the usual penalties.


l Seatbelt offences - Under current law, failing to wear a seatbelt usually results in a fine only. However, there are ongoing discussions about increasing this to include penalty points in the near future.


l Not being in proper control of a vehicle - This is a broad offence covering anything from driving with a misted windscreen, vaping, holding a child, or any behaviour that prevents full control of the vehicle. It carries three points and a £100 fine.


l Using a mobile phone whilst driving - If the camera identifies a driver holding a phone, this can lead to six points and a £200 fine.


One important point is that drivers will not necessarily see a flash or any obvious sign that they have been caught. Unlike traditional cameras, these systems operate silently. The first indication a driver will receive is a Notice of Intended Prosecution arriving through the post, asking them to confirm who was driving and advising that prosecution is being considered.


The message for drivers is simple: ensure you are wearing your seatbelt, avoid holding anything in your hands, keep distractions to a minimum, and assume that cameras may be monitoring more than just your speed.


Graduated driver licences


These cases understandably caused concern, but the real question is: what does this mean for drivers, and what offences can these cameras actually detect?


AI enforcement cameras are now appearing across the UK. They are not the traditional yellow speed cameras that simply record a vehicle exceeding the limit. These new systems use internal technology to identify a range of offences. They can still detect speeding, but they can also identify whether a driver is holding an object, not wearing a seatbelt, or otherwise distracted.


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Another story that made headlines this month was the introduction of Graduated Driver Licencing (GDL) in Northern Ireland - the first part of the UK to adopt the scheme. The aim is to reduce the number of collisions and fatalities involving young and inexperienced drivers. Although currently limited to Northern Ireland, the intention is for these rules to be rolled out across the rest of the UK in due course.


The new rules may include: l A minimum six-month learning period - New drivers must spend at least six months gaining experience before they can take their practical test.


l 14 mandatory training modules signed off by an instructor.


NOVEMBER 2026 PHTM


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