Revolutionizing Road Safety: AI cameras to monitor distracted driving and cellphone usage on Mumbai-Pune Expressway

PuneNow, July 31, 2023: In a significant road safety move, an AI-based camera system is currently undergoing testing on the bustling Mumbai-Pune Expressway to spot and report cases of distracted driving and cell phone usage. The initiative aims to deter motorists from indulging in reckless driving behaviors such as texting while on the move.

These camera systems have already shown success in other countries, successfully detecting law-breaking motorists driving at high speeds. Once fully operational, violators identified by the system will be reported to the police.

Over the past six years, distracted driving has been a significant concern in Maharashtra, with 382 fatalities reported. A further 1,100 road crashes have been attributed to it, often involving activities like watching social media videos while driving. The rising number of such incidents has necessitated the introduction of effective road safety measures.

Despite a decrease in the number of crashes from 100 in 2019 to 52 in 2022, fatalities have seen an alarming increase from 13 to 27. Mobile phone use while driving has emerged as a major contributor to these incidents, severely hampering reaction times and escalating the risk of accidents.

However, the challenge lies in accurately reporting distracted driving during road crash investigations. Experts call for improved crash investigations and data reporting to highlight distracted driving as a key factor in accidents.

In 2017, the SaveLIFE Foundation conducted a study across eight Indian cities, including Mumbai, which revealed the rampant prevalence of distracted driving behaviors. The study discovered that nearly half of the drivers receive calls while driving, and many apply sudden brakes when using their phones.

Supporting the implementation of AI-based cameras, Piyush Tewari, CEO of SaveLIFE Foundation, sees this as a dynamic solution to enforce against distracted driving. The ongoing tests of these cameras on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway open possibilities for wider implementation across the country.

Dr. Ravinder Singal, Additional Director General of Police (State Traffic), underlines the importance of curbing distracted driving violations to protect not just the violators but also potential victims. As part of this effort, Maharashtra’s highway police have stepped up their enforcement, issuing thousands of e-challans per month for distracted driving.