Authorities in the United Kingdom (UK) are set to deploy artificial intelligence (AI) cameras along highways to monitor and capture instances of drivers littering by throwing trash out of their car windows. The AI-powered cameras, slated to be installed at British lay-bys in the coming weeks, aim to identify and penalize individuals engaged in this behavior, with potential fines reaching up to £100 ($126).

This initiative is part of a trial conducted by National Highways, responsible for the maintenance and improvement of major roads, in collaboration with a subsidiary of East Hampshire County Council. The AI cameras are designed to automatically send images of offenders to the authorities, streamlining the process and eliminating the need to manually review hours of CCTV footage.

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According to reports, the initial phase of the project will see the installation of these cameras in the South East of England. Littering on highways has been a growing concern across the UK, prompting efforts to address the issue more effectively.

Last year, the Clean Up Britain campaign group raised concerns about highway littering, threatening legal action against the National Highways body if the situation did not improve. Despite the introduction of measures such as AI cameras, some critics, including John Read, the founder of Clean Up Britain, have expressed skepticism, labeling the initiative as another “meaningless partnership” that may not deliver meaningful results.