Drivers forced to undertake £54 'compulsory' course over autumn

Drivers forced to undertake £54 'compulsory' course over autumn
-Credit: (Image: Reach Publishing Services Limited)


Drivers will be forced to take 'compulsory' £54 course this autumn, it has been warned. Motorists will be forced to fork out and pay anywhere between £54 to £95 for an awareness course amid revolutionary cameras catching out Highway Code breakers.

Motorists caught without a seatbelt could face fines of up to £500 if their case goes to court. It comes as new AI cameras being rolled out across the UK, particularly the North West of England, can detect more than just road users breaking the speed limit.

Graham Conway, Managing Director at Select Car Leasing, warned: “You can also be made to complete a mandatory online education course, with prices for the privilege ranging between £54 and £95.

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“Your Belt Your Life (YBYL) and What’s Driving Us? (WDU) courses are given to people who have failed to use a seat belt or who have flouted child seat rules. The courses are 30 minutes long and have a test at the end, with motorists needing to pass.”

Cameras are being fitted in Greater Manchester, Durham, Humberside, Staffordshire, West Mercia, Northamptonshire, Wiltshire, Norfolk, Thames Valley Police and Sussex. Artificial intelligence (AI) cameras have been introduced in the region in recent years in a series of trials – and have caught drivers using mobile phones, passengers using the steering wheel, alongside not wearing seat belts.

They are positioned higher than traditional speed and security cameras seen across UK roads. AI cameras use advanced vehicle monitoring systems that can see inside the vehicles to monitor and analyse driver activity – and then the results are sent to the local police force to analyse.

RAC road safety spokesman Rod Dennis said: “AI-equipped cameras that can automatically detect drivers breaking the law offer a chance for the tide to be turned. The police can’t be everywhere all of the time, so it makes sense that forces look to the best available technology that can help them catch drivers acting illegally.”