Met police firearms

[Fedster + 1,307]

Launch of new mobile phone detection warning system.

Warning sign: Mobile trial launch today

 

A police force is trialling new technology aimed at making the use of a mobile phone at the wheel as “socially unacceptable” as drink or drug-driving.

Norfolk Constabulary has joined forces with council leaders in a nationwide first to identify potential offenders and deter illegal use.

The force, and Norfolk County Council, have been working with Dereham company Westcotec to develop the system which will flash a signal to drivers, similar to those for speeding, if a phone is being used in the car.

Trials began at four sites in the county yesterday.

At this stage the new mobile phone detection warning system is not connected to enforcement but its makers are “working towards that end” as it cannot detect whether a driver or their passenger is using a phone, and the warning sign may flash even if no offence is being committed.

The system comprises a sensor capable of detecting vehicles where there are active 2G, 3G and 4G phone signals, and an LED warning sign located a short distance along the road.

As long as the activation meets certain pre-determined parameters, the sensor can detect the kind of signal a phone is picking up and if it is being used through a Bluetooth system or through the handset.

It will be used at locations across the county for the next year, with the equipment in place for up to a month at a time at each site.

Inspector Jonathan Chapman, of the Norfolk roads policing unit, added: "This scheme is a good example of how we can work with local authorities to make using a mobile phone whilst driving as socially unacceptable as drink or drug-driving.

"Any scheme which prevents this kind of behaviour is welcomed. Using a mobile phone at the wheel is one of the fatal four road offences which can have devastating consequences if it causes a fatal or serious collision.

"We will be using the information provided by Norfolk County Council’s road safety team to help us target drivers in the future but the message is simple – leave your phone alone whilst you’re behind the wheel."

Margaret Dewsbury, chairman of the county council’s communities committee, added: "Using a mobile phone whilst driving is an enormous distraction and apart from being illegal puts the lives of the driver, passengers and pedestrians at risk.”

Designed by Keele University criminologist Dr Helen Wells, the system was first launched last October at the European Traffic Police Network TISPOL conference in Manchester.

Although Norfolk trial sees its first outing for policing, a number of other UK forces have expressed interest or requested a demonstration.

A spokesperson for Westcotec said: “This device is purely about education, warning drivers and being able to identify when the driver was on the phone. It is the first such system to have a direct interaction with a mobile phone offender.”

While not currently connecting it to enforcement, “this system is without doubt ahead of the game,” the company added.

“The strength of vehicle-activated LED signs is that they identify the offender and only trigger when they’re necessary.  The warning will be obvious and will stand out.”

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[andi + 1,262]

Massively sceptical over this ever being used for enforcement. Not only can it not differentiate between passengers and driver, but how is it supposed to tell if the data use is illegal? It might be able to detect a 4g signal, but my phones always using 4g, even if I'm not using it, just for updates, notifications etc. I might be streaming music, or even just using sat nav can use data.

[Beaker 817]

Tied in with a camera and some fancy pattern recognition it'll work. Likely way more expensive than it would need to be though.

[SD + 688]

Using phone for maps only would meet all the points raised of 4g, no Bluetooth, phone in hand shown on CCTV but wouldn’t meet the conviction threshold.

[Buck + 293]

Nothing in there are knowing if the phone is in Apple Car Play or Android Auto either, they don't use bluetooth so won't be excluded as far as I can see...

[obsidian_eclipse + 1,202]

Or just a camera which takes digital pictures, then some poor so and so has to manually go through tens of thousands of photos every day to find the culprit.