AI Cameras To Detect Distracted Driving and Cell Phone Usage on Mumbai-Pune Expressway

In a proactive move to enhance road safety and curb distracted driving, an AI-based camera system is currently undergoing testing on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway.

This innovative technology is designed to detect drivers using their phones while behind the wheel or engaging in other forms of distracted driving. Similar cameras have already proved effective in capturing law violations in other countries, including instances of texting while driving at high speeds. Once implemented, the system will report offenders to the police, paving the way for safer road conditions.

The importance of this initiative becomes evident when considering the alarming statistics related to distracted driving in Maharashtra. Over the past six years, distracted driving has tragically claimed the lives of 382 individuals. In the year preceding the COVID-19 pandemic, 2019, there were 100 crashes due to distracted driving. Although this number reduced to 52 crashes in 2022, the fatalities doubled during this period, with 27 deaths in 2022 compared to 13 in 2019.

Cell Phone use stands out as the most prominent cause of distraction, with studies indicating that drivers spend around one to two minutes on their phones per hour of driving. This seemingly insignificant duration significantly impairs their reaction time, potentially leading to catastrophic consequences.

A study by an NGO highlights that driving demands multitasking, encompassing coordination of vision, hand, leg movement, and hearing. Distractions in any of these areas can prove fatal. AI-powered road safety solutions are not only proficient in detecting distracted driving but are also adept at identifying various other hazardous behaviors.

Experts believe that promoting positive driving habits through such technology will play a pivotal role in ensuring the safety of all road users.

One of the challenges in addressing distracted driving lies in accurate data reporting during road crash investigations. Often, incidents of distracted driving might not be entirely recorded, leading to incomplete data.

For instance, in a fatal crash involving a helmetless biker, the fact that they were also using their phone might not be documented. Therefore, there is a crucial need to improve crash investigations and data reporting to include distracted driving as a potential factor behind accidents.

Recognizing the significance of this issue, the non-profit group SaveLIFE Foundation conducted a study on distracted driving across eight Indian cities, including Mumbai. The study revealed alarming trends, with 47% of drivers receiving calls on their cellphones while driving, 34% applying sudden brakes while talking on the phone, and 60% not stopping at a safe location before answering calls.

The Foundation stresses that enforcement against distracted driving must be dynamic, and the deployment of AI-based cameras is a viable and promising option. The ongoing testing of AI cameras on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway presents a ray of hope, and it is anticipated that this technology will eventually be adopted throughout the country.

The AI camera system’s potential to curtail distracted driving on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway holds promise for improved road safety and sets a precedent for similar measures to be adopted on other Indian highways. By leveraging technology to create safer driving environments, we take a step closer to protecting lives and preventing accidents caused by distracted driving.