In a new effort to lower car crash deaths, police in Minnesota’s west metro area are using artificial intelligence powered smart cameras that can spot distracted drivers.
Quick Summary
- Minnesota police are using AI cameras to catch distracted drivers.
- The cameras were made by a company called Acusensus and funded partly by a $400,000 state grant.
- These cameras can tell when someone is using a phone while driving. If no violation is found, the photos are deleted within 15 minutes.
How the Cameras Work
The cameras were created by Acusensus, a tech company from Australia. These high-tech cameras use machine learning, a type of AI, to look inside cars and identify distracted drivers. They can spot someone holding a phone or not keeping both hands on the wheel. Unlike regular traffic cameras that only record speeding or running red lights, these cameras watch for behavior that signals distraction.
Importantly, the cameras don’t automatically ticket drivers. Each photo the AI flags is checked by a trained police officer to make sure a real violation happened. This human review step helps ensure that people are only stopped if they’re truly breaking the law. The AI acts like a smart assistant, not a replacement for police judgment.
The Results So Far
Since the cameras started working on February 1, they’ve reportedly had a big impact. In just a few weeks, officers stopped more than 100 drivers based on camera alerts. About 70 of those stops led to tickets. That shows that distracted driving is a bigger problem than many realized.
Police believe the system could record tens of thousands of distracted driving events by the end of February. These early results show the program can help reduce crashes by encouraging drivers to pay more attention. Now that more people know about the cameras, they may think twice before picking up their phones while driving. The presence of the cameras may lead to safer habits over time.
What About Privacy?
Some people are concerned about privacy when it comes to cameras watching inside their cars. The police understand this and built in protections. If no traffic violation is found, the image is deleted within 15 minutes. There are also no automatic tickets, officers must double-check every case.
This approach protects people’s rights while still improving road safety. The goal is not to spy on people, but to stop dangerous driving before it causes harm to others. By being transparent and responsible, the police hope the community will continue to support the program.
Final Thoughts
Using AI to fight distracted driving is a sign of how technology is changing public safety. In Minnesota, it’s a team effort between police and the people they serve. The early results are promising, and if the program continues to succeed, it could become a model for other communities.
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