How AI Could Make Our Roads Safer
Each year roughly 2000 people die, 24,000 more are seriously injured and innumerable lives are affected for the worse as a result of preventable road accidents in the UK alone. However with the rapid developments in artificial intelligence, this may be set to change.
Artificial intelligence is currently being integrated into the likes of Formula One and NASCAR already as huge swathes of cash are spent by motor companies endeavouring to attain the slightest competitive advantage against their closest rivals. Masses of data are analysed simultaneously by computers aiding the engineers to make well-informed decisions about their drivers’ next moves in order to keep them safe. For example, when should the driver take a pit stop or what is the optimal speed to take the next corner. But what does this mean for the general safety of roads in the UK? One doesn’t tend to need emergency tyre changes whilst driving down the M-25.
Well the answer lies within the fact that the majority of road accidents stem from the driver’s lack of concentration. Instead of requiring AI that scrutinizes data at high speeds, we need AI that can monitor our general driving performance and is able to inform the driver when they are driving dangerously. Logistics company, GC, based in SE Asia developed a system in 2019 which used facial recognition AI to detect whether the driver was distracted, drowsy or unfit to drive in real time and would alert the driver if this wasn’t the case. Furthermore, US-based Netradyne is currently developing technology which assesses the driver’s overall performance with regard to traffic lanes and following traffic rules.

Facial recognition in a car to detect whether the driver is fatigued or distracted.
Credit: newatlas.com
However, when will we see this implemented into the UK? Much of the current technology developed so far is for use in less developed countries where the roads are more dangerous. Though with the introduction of driver-less cars onto UK roads in the near future, the methods of AI previously mentioned will definitely be incorporated to make our roads safer. Until then, it may not be compulsory for vehicle developers to include safety AI in cars for the UK.
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