New cameras across Greater Manchester have caught hundreds of people using phones while driving. 

Further still, the cameras also found that thousands of people weren't wearing seatbelts. 

The new cameras were rolled out as part of a five-week trial period. They found that 812 drivers were distracted by using mobile phones behind the wheel, and 2,393 were caught without seatbelts. 

Images showed drivers holding phones up to their ears, and in front of their faces - sometimes with children in the passenger seat. 

The trial formed part of Greater Manchester's 'Vision Zero' scheme, which aims to eliminate all road deaths and life-changing injuries by 2040. 

(Image - TfGM)

The findings from the cameras will be used to inform future enforcement and education campaigns on road safety.

Reporting on the trial results, Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) pointed out that nearly 10,000 people in Greater Manchester have been killed or seriously injured on our roads in the last 10 years.

The cameras used artificial intelligence to recognise and capture images, which were then sent to a human operator for review.  

"Alongside the devastating pain, grief and suffering which results from road traffic collisions, they place additional strain on the emergency services", a TfGM spokesperson said. 

"Victims are often left unable to work or facing medical costs."

(Image - TfGM)

Kate Green, deputy Mayor of Greater Manchester, said she hoped the findings would be a 'wake up call' for drivers. 

"Distractions such as using mobile phones while driving and not wearing seat belts are key factors in a number of road traffic collisions on our roads which have resulted in people being killed or suffering life-changing injuries", she said.

"This trial was launched so we could better understand the scale of this problem in Greater Manchester, and the images speak for themselves. 

"They show drivers who are needlessly putting themselves and others – including young children – at risk, and sadly we know that being distracted for just a second, or not wearing a seat belt properly, can have devastating consequences."

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