Artificial intelligence programmes can write you a love poem that would impress Shakespeare. It can finish your sentences as you type them into Google on your phone.

And now, it seems, it can photograph you from afar as you do all that from behind the wheel of your car on the A34.

A police spy camera van that uses artificial intelligence to detect drivers using their mobile phones at the wheel has led to nearly 500 drivers being snapped on the A34 and A303.

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The AI-equipped camera van, provided to Thames Valley and Hampshire police forces for a week-long operation, uses one of its two cameras to detect drivers holding phones to their ears or not wearing their seat belts.

A second camera spots drivers holding their device in their lap. 

The photographs are double-checked by at least two humans before the miscreant drivers are considered for prosecution.

Once the offences are identified by the AI system the results are double-checked by at least two people before being considered for prosecution.

This is Oxfordshire: The camera van can detect drivers using their phone behind the wheel Picture: Hampshire

Simon Gomer, manager of the Thames Valley and Hampshire police Safer Roads Unit, said: “These are very exciting times and this has been a great opportunity for both forces to utilise the latest in AI technology.

“But the results we’ve had from just one week sadly show how prolific these offences are. We will continue to spread the message that distracted driving kills, these offences will be punished and social habits need to change.”

The camera van found 86 drivers suspected of using a phone and 273 motorists or passengers suspected of not wearing a seat belt, with a further 132 mechanical offences identified.

Five arrests were also made for offences such as drug-driving and disqualified driving.

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Dr Jamie Uff of consultancy AECOM, which developed the camera van with National Highways, said: “Despite the often-reported dangers of distracted driving and failing to wear seat belts, the numbers of people killed or seriously injured as a result of these behaviours remain high.

“The technology AECOM is deploying makes detection straightforward and is providing valuable insight to the police and policy makers on the current level of road user behaviour. We are really keen for the use of this technology to be expanded to raise awareness and improve road safety for everyone.”

This is Oxfordshire: The AECOM camera van Picture: Hampshire Constabulary/PA Media

Sgt Paul Diamond, of Thames Valley Police's Commercial Vehicle Unit, added: “It is always disappointing to see the level of danger some people bring to themselves and other motorists, but with dedicated operations like this we can combat the threat and remove the worst offenders.”

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