New A30 camera at Zelah is looking inside your car

Drive east on the A30 past Zelah and there’s now a camera watching. It has no interest in how fast you’re going. It’s looking at what you’re doing inside the car.

The Devon & Cornwall Police Road Safety Team has announced the installation of an Acusensus camera trailer on the eastbound carriageway of the A30 at Zelah, put in place with partners at National Highways.

What the camera is looking for

The camera is there to detect distracted driving offences. That includes drivers using a handheld mobile phone at the wheel.

It also picks up drivers and passengers who aren’t wearing seatbelts.

It does not detect speeding.

Why it’s been installed

Police say using a mobile phone, or otherwise not being in proper control of a vehicle, is a significant cause of serious collisions.

They describe cameras like this as new technology that has been shown to reduce offending in an area over time. The hope is that fewer collisions follow.

What to do if you need to take a call

Many cars have some form of Bluetooth connection, and the Road Safety Team is asking drivers to use it if they need a phone conversation while driving.

Better still, they say, pull over and have the chat while you’re stationary.

The trailer is on the eastbound side only. Police haven’t said how long it will stay there.

📷Library image. This photo was not taken on the A30 at Zelah. Credit: Devon & Cornwall Police Road Safety Team