Drivers across Brighton, Hove, East Sussex and West Sussex are searching for answers about AI road safety cameras. Are they speed cameras? Do they check phones? Can they see seatbelts? Are they in Brighton? Are they on the A23, A27, A21 or A283? This guide brings the key information together in one clear place.
Sussex Police says the technology is being used to help target offences that put people at risk on the roads: using a mobile phone while driving and not wearing a seatbelt. The system can identify potential offences, but the decision-making process includes human review.
These cameras are not ordinary speed cameras. They are AI-supported road safety cameras designed to detect possible handheld mobile phone use and seatbelt offences.
What Are the New AI Cameras in Sussex?
Sussex Police describes the project as Road Safety AI Cameras. The technology uses high-definition camera equipment and AI-supported detection to identify potential offences inside vehicles.
- Drivers using a handheld mobile phone while driving.
- Drivers or passengers not wearing a seatbelt.
- Potential offences are reviewed before enforcement decisions.
- Sussex Police says facial recognition is not used.
Are They Speed Cameras?
This is one of the biggest search questions. The Sussex AI Camera Project is focused on mobile phone use and seatbelt offences. It should not be confused with normal fixed speed cameras, mobile speed cameras, average speed cameras or red-light cameras.
| Camera Type | Main Purpose | What Drivers Should Know |
|---|---|---|
| AI Road Safety Camera | Mobile phone and seatbelt detection | Designed to identify potential offences inside vehicles. |
| Fixed Speed Camera | Speed enforcement | Usually installed at known fixed camera sites. |
| Mobile Speed Camera | Speed enforcement | Can be moved between enforcement locations. |
| Average Speed Camera | Average speed over a section | Common on roadworks, controlled routes and high-risk roads. |
| Red Light Camera | Traffic light offences | Used at junctions to detect red-light offences. |
Where Are the AI Cameras in Sussex?
Not every AI camera location is published as a permanent public list. Sussex Police has a Road Safety Data Portal with a camera map for fixed, mobile, red light and average speed cameras, but project sites and one-off deployments may not always appear on public maps.
The safest advice is not to rely on rumours or social media location posts. Instead, drive legally everywhere and check official sources.
Roads and Areas People Are Searching For
Searches around AI cameras in Sussex are likely to include major routes, towns and local roads.
Do not drive based on camera locations.
The point of the project is road safety. If drivers only behave safely where they think a camera exists, they are still putting themselves, passengers and other road users at risk.
Official Links About Sussex AI Cameras and Driving Rules
These are the most important official and high-trust links to include in any driver guide.
What Happens If the AI Camera Detects Something?
The camera system flags potential offences. Sussex Police says images are reviewed by trained people before enforcement action is considered. This is important because the AI is not the final decision-maker.
- The camera captures vehicle images from relevant angles.
- AI-supported detection identifies possible mobile phone or seatbelt offences.
- Images with no suspected offence can be deleted quickly.
- Potential offences are reviewed by trained assessors.
- Police officers decide whether further action is appropriate.
- Sussex Police says the system does not use facial recognition.
What Are the Penalties for Mobile Phone Use While Driving?
GOV.UK states that you can get 6 penalty points and a £200 fine if you hold and use a phone, sat nav, tablet or any device that can send and receive data while driving or riding a motorcycle.
Seatbelt Rules and Why They Matter
Seatbelts are one of the simplest safety protections in a vehicle. The AI camera project also focuses on people not wearing seatbelts, including drivers and passengers.
- Drivers should wear a seatbelt unless legally exempt.
- Passengers must wear seatbelts where fitted, unless exempt.
- Drivers can have responsibilities involving children in the vehicle.
- Taxi and private hire drivers should remind passengers to wear seatbelts.
- Do not start a journey until passengers are safely seated.
Private hire and taxi drivers need to be extra careful.
Professional drivers are on the road for longer, carry passengers, depend on their licence and represent their company. One phone offence can cause serious personal and business consequences.
Advice for Taxi and Private Hire Drivers in Sussex
- Mount your phone securely before driving.
- Do not hold your phone while moving or stopped in traffic.
- Set navigation before the journey begins.
- Use hands-free only where safe and legal.
- Stop safely before changing complex route details.
- Remind passengers to wear seatbelts.
- Keep both hands available for driving.
- Protect your badge, licence and professional reputation.
Why Sussex Police Is Using AI Cameras
Sussex Police says the project is designed to improve road safety and encourage safer choices. The force has linked mobile phone use and non-wearing of seatbelts to serious collision risk.
In its April 2026 release, Sussex Police said the AI camera detected 330 driver seatbelt offences, 118 driver mobile phone offences and 10 combined offences during the deployment period reported in that release.
What Brighton and Sussex Drivers Should Do Now
- Put your phone away before moving.
- Use a proper phone mount if using navigation.
- Do not hold your phone at traffic lights.
- Check every passenger has a seatbelt on.
- Set music, maps and calls before driving.
- Stop safely before touching your phone.
- Do not rely on camera location rumours.
- Check official Sussex Police pages for updates.
Mobile Phone Use While Driving: Common Mistakes
Many drivers think they are safe because they are only touching the phone for a second, sitting in traffic, changing the map or checking a message. The law is stricter than many people realise.
| Situation | Risk | Safer Action |
|---|---|---|
| Holding phone at traffic lights | Can still be treated as phone use while driving. | Wait until parked safely with engine off. |
| Changing sat nav by hand | Can distract you and may breach phone rules. | Set route before moving or stop safely. |
| Reading a message | High distraction risk. | Use do not disturb mode while driving. |
| Calling customer while moving | Risk for taxi and private hire drivers. | Use safe legal hands-free only, or stop safely. |
| Phone on lap | Can still look like unsafe use. | Mount or store the phone properly. |
Best rule: prepare before you drive.
Navigation, music, calls, dispatch apps and messages should be handled before the vehicle moves, or only after you have stopped safely and legally.
Are AI Road Cameras Legal?
AI-supported camera projects are being used by police and road safety partners to help detect road traffic offences. The important point is that AI is used to identify potential offences, while enforcement decisions are reviewed through human processes.
Do the Cameras Use Facial Recognition?
Sussex Police says the AI camera project does not use facial recognition software. The project is aimed at detecting seatbelt and mobile phone offences, not identifying drivers through facial recognition.
Will the AI Cameras Be Used for Other Offences?
Sussex Police says the technology used for the project is only for seatbelts and mobile phones. However, the force also says there is potential that other offences may be shown when the camera identifies one of those specific offences, and trained officers and staff will assess whether further action is needed.
Useful Sussex Road Safety Links
Taxi Travel During Busy Sussex Traffic
AI cameras are part of a wider road safety conversation in Sussex. For passengers, the key issue is simple: safe, legal and professional driving matters.
Sussex Airports Taxis provides pre-booked private hire journeys and airport transfers across Brighton, Hove and Sussex, including Gatwick, Heathrow, Stansted, Luton and London City Airport.
Sussex Areas Covered by Sussex Airports Taxis
Search Terms This Guide Covers
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the new AI cameras in Sussex?
They are AI-supported road safety cameras used to detect possible handheld mobile phone use and seatbelt offences.
Are Sussex AI cameras speed cameras?
The Sussex Police AI Camera Project is focused on mobile phone use and seatbelt offences, not ordinary speed camera enforcement.
Where are the AI cameras in Sussex?
Some previous trial activity has been reported around A21 Vinehall Road, Robertsbridge and A23 Handcross. Current project deployments can move, and not every one-off project site is shown on public camera maps.
Are there AI cameras in Brighton?
Drivers are searching for AI cameras in Brighton, but not every current deployment location is publicly listed. Check Sussex Police official pages and drive legally everywhere.
Can AI cameras detect mobile phone use?
Yes. The project is designed to identify possible handheld mobile phone use, with human review before enforcement decisions.
Can AI cameras detect seatbelts?
Yes. The Sussex project is designed to detect non-wearing of seatbelts as well as handheld mobile phone use.
Do the cameras use facial recognition?
Sussex Police says the system does not use facial recognition software.
What is the fine for using a phone while driving?
GOV.UK says drivers can get 6 penalty points and a £200 fine for holding and using a phone or similar device while driving.
Can I book a safe taxi in Brighton or Sussex?
Yes. Sussex Airports Taxis provides pre-booked private hire journeys and airport transfers across Brighton, Hove and Sussex.