Cars to Outsmart Drivers

Smart cars fitted with CCTV masts and parked at junctions to monitor traffic, are now being piloted by Greater Manchester Police in a bid to drive down accidents caused by driver distraction.

Those caught driving while eating, adjusting media facilities, applying make-up and so forth, are now likely to receive a letter with their morning cornflakes informing them of the imposition of penalties for relevant offences: driving with a mobile, driving without due care and attention, or similar such crimes.

In an Orwellian move, the cameras will be trained directly at drivers, which some allege is an invasion of privacy and an affront to the presumption of innocence.

However, the cars will only trace people who are committing an offence and are therefore positioned only to secure evidence.

If the scheme is seen to be a success in reducing the number of accidents, those behind it hope it could be rolled out across the UK. Notably, some councils already use Smart cars with cameras to track parking and bus lane offences.