\n The mobile cameras, which were installed last month as part of the force’s national roads policing campaign, work by using an infrared flash to capture clear images, which are then analysed in real time by an AI algorithm to identify potential offences.\n<\/p>\n
\n However, multiple drivers on social media subsequently reported that they had been fined for not wearing a seatbelt by a camera installed on the A283, despite insisting they had been complying with the law.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n
\n Megan Hitchman said: “I’ve received a fine stating I didn’t have a seat belt on, which I know is not the case.”\n<\/p>\n
\n She added: “I know 100 per cent I was wearing one; for one, my car continuously beeps without one on, and secondly it’s not something I’d ever risk.”\n<\/p>\n
\n Ian Hynek also said he’d had two incorrect fines from the camera.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n
\n The camera was recently installed on the A283, outside the former Shoreham Cement Works (Image: Google)\n<\/p>\n
\n Some suggested that the camera had been incorrectly fining people who had been wearing dark clothing because it could not differentiate between this and a seatbelt.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n
\n Julie Gaskell said: “I know of someone who has had two notices.\n<\/p>\n
\n “They always wear black and always wear a seatbelt.”\n<\/p>\n
\n In response to suggestions the colour of clothing could be to blame, a spokesman for Sussex Police said: “We are not aware of any false positives linked to dark clothing, indeed the system also uses infrared technology, making it easier to distinguish a seatbelt from clothing.\n<\/p>\n
\n “It is also usual to observe in the pictures a buckle not plugged in, a belt hanging not in use from the door frame or being worn incorrectly under an arm for example.\n<\/p>\n
\n “If a mistake is identified, we would immediately rescind any case and update the individual concerned.\n<\/p>\n
\n “Anyone with any queries can email safetycamera@sussex.police.uk quoting their unique reference number.”\n<\/p>\n
\n An image from one of the AI cameras (Image: National Highways)\n<\/p>\n
\n The spokesman also confirmed that images provided by the camera are checked twice by humans, including by a police officer, before any enforcement action is taken.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n
\n They added that the images were of a high quality, could be magnified, and police were not aware of any issue with the operation of the technology or the system.\n<\/p>\n
\n The mobile camera has since been moved from its previous location on the A283.\n<\/p>\n
\n It is part of a wider road safety project across Sussex<\/a> that is aimed at identifying drivers using mobile phones or not wearing seatbelts.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n \n In their first week of operation, the cameras recorded more than 700 offences<\/a>, including 620 instances of drivers not wearing a seatbelt.\n<\/p>\n \n The majority of images are immediately deleted if they do not show a potential offence, while images sent for review are cropped and anonymised.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n