The number of drivers caught speeding has surged as AI cameras increasingly catch thousands of motorists out.

Speeding fines are up 14 per cent since 2022, a Freedom of Information request from comparison website Confused has found, with a total of 9million drivers caught speeding since then.

The FOI request to UK Police Forces discovered more than 3.3million Notices of Intended Prosecution (NIP) were issued to drivers in 2024 – up from 2.9million in 2022.

This is the highest recorded number of drivers caught speeding in the past three years.

A key reason for this is the rollout of new AI cameras. These cameras have caught 2,341 drivers since they piloted on UK roads in 2021.

And this figure is likely to go up because more police forces are planning to use Artificial Intelligence cameras on roads soon: of the 35 police constabularies who responded to the FOI, five currently have AI cameras in place with another two planning to roll them out soon.

Pilot schemes using Artificial Intelligence speed cameras is one of the latest initiatives from the Department for Transport (DfT) to increase parameters and systems to improve road safety.

AI cameras not only snap motorists who are travelling over the speed limit, but they can also detect drivers who are illegally using a smartphone behind the wheel or not wearing a seatbelt.

They can determine the make and model of car and take full images inside the car.

So far the police constabulary with AI cameras that's caught the most offences is Durham (951), followed by Humberside (882) and Staffordshire (455). 

North Wales has also caught 53 drivers.

Humberside is planning for more AI cameras as is Staffordshire, with Avon & Somerset and Devon & Cornwall both planning pilot schemes soon which will be their first use of AI cameras.

Despite being caught out by AI cameras, many drivers back them being used to catch people speeding.

A third of drivers believe the use of AI will make roads safer. 

But a similar amount, 36 per cent, also hope that a person is checking over what the new AI camera records because they’re worried it might catch drivers incorrectly.

However, not every driver is happy with the use of AI cameras, with one in five thinking their use is an invasion of privacy in the car.

Still the deterrent factor with AI cameras seems to be shifting behaviour with one in 10 less likely to use a mobile phone while driving now because they feel they are more likely to be caught by an AI speed camera than other cameras. 

A further 11 per cent say the same about not wearing a seatbelt.

Seventeen per cent of drivers believe there should be more cameras on UK roads.

Rhydian Jones, car insurance expert at Confused, said: 'The piloting of AI speed cameras is a step in the right direction to improve road safety. 

'The technology can spot drivers and passengers not wearing a seatbelt or using their phone behind the wheel. 

'The hope is that this will really help to crack down on drivers who risk the safety of themselves and other road users when behind the wheel.'

But even the use of AI cameras isn’t proving enough to stop the issue of speeding on UK roads.

Confused's research found 38 per cent of drivers have received a NIP for speeding, with a third doing so twice. 

More than half said that since being caught speeding, they’re more careful about meeting speed limits.

Even the cost of a ticket – minimum £100 - or the fact that car insurance increases by an average of £139 after receiving a speeding fine.

However, one in three drivers did say they’re more likely to reduce their speed if they see a policeman while driving. 

Why do drivers speed and do deterrents actually work?

A third of drivers say they were unaware they were speeding in the first place.

Forty per cent say it’s because they were running late or needed to get somewhere faster, with 46 per cent saying they would drive over the speed limit if it was an emergency.

More concerningly, one in five say they’d speed just to overtake another driver while one in 10 admit they would speed if they thought there weren’t any cameras.

Despite many taking the risk, it’s positive to see that half drive more carefully when they’re around a school or residential area. And 26 per cent believe that reducing speed limits will help make roads safer. 

Another 28 per cent think there should be more signposting for cameras on roads so drivers know when to reduce their speed.

How effective are AI cameras?

Freestanding AI cameras on the A30 near Launceston in Devon caught 117 people using their mobile phones while driving in a 72-hour period in July 2024.

A further 130 people were snapped not wearing their seat belt.

In July 2023, Hampshire and the Thames Valley police detected almost 500 offences in a week after using a van with AI cameras mounted on it.

Positioned on the A34 and A303 as part of a National Police Chiefs' Council campaign, the Acusensus 'Heads Up' vehicle caught motorists using their phones, not wearing seat belts and driving under the influence of drugs.

A total of 86 drivers were suspected of using a phone. Some 273 motorists or passengers were suspected of not wearing a seat belt and a further 132 mechanical offences identified.

After checks by a member of staff were carried out, five arrests were made.