AI cameras target Somerset, UK’s deadly A361 bypass after 6 deaths

Somerset authorities will trial artificial intelligence cameras at the A361 Frome Bypass, a dangerous stretch of road where six people have died in the last five years, including four fatalities in 2023 and 2024 alone. The AI-powered traffic enforcement system represents a technological approach to addressing persistent road safety challenges at one of the county’s most hazardous driving locations.

How the AI cameras work: The intelligent traffic monitoring system can detect multiple dangerous driving behaviors that traditional speed cameras cannot capture.
• AI cameras identify illegal mobile phone use while driving, careless driving patterns, and failure to wear seatbelts.
• Drivers caught engaging in dangerous behaviors will receive warning letters, fines, or face prosecution depending on the severity of the offense.
• The technology is already deployed around major roads throughout England as part of broader traffic safety initiatives.

Why this location was chosen: The A361 Frome Bypass has become a focal point for road safety concerns due to its alarming collision statistics.
• Six people have died on this stretch of road over the past five years, with four of those deaths occurring in just the last two years.
• The fatality rate has prompted both local officials and community members to demand enhanced safety measures.
• Somerset Council has already implemented junction improvements at the A361/A362 intersection, including upgraded warning signs.

What officials are saying: Local leaders emphasize the urgent need for intervention while acknowledging the technology’s limitations.
• “Whilst this won’t fix the issue entirely, I welcome any measures that will help make the A361 junction [where it meets the A362] safer,” said Somerset MP Anna Sabine, who has campaigned for improved road safety on the Frome Bypass.
• “The number of serious and fatal collisions on this stretch of road is alarming and we know the community is looking to ourselves and police to try to find ways to address this and ensure this is drastically reduced,” explained Councillor Richard Wilkins.
• Chief Inspector Rob Cheeseman of Avon and Somerset Police noted that AI cameras represent “a significant step forward in road safety technology, helping to identify and deter dangerous driving behaviours before they lead to loss of life.”

The broader context: The AI camera trial is part of comprehensive road safety measures being implemented by Avon and Somerset Police and Somerset Council.
• Fifty-two people were killed in road incidents across Avon and Somerset last year, highlighting the regional scope of traffic safety challenges.
• The council is exploring additional safety measures for the A361 beyond the AI camera implementation.
• The initiative combines technological enforcement with infrastructure improvements to create a multi-layered approach to accident prevention.