Tim Hanssen had his hand to his ear while driving and was immediately fined 380 euros. Plus 9 euros administration costs. It turned out to be a mistake on the smart camera. This assesses whether someone is using their mobile phone while driving. Tim requested the photo of the violation and it turned out: “I was scratching my head.”
Tim (34) drives a lease car and received a call from his manager at the end of October. “He said: ‘You’ve been fined, Tim. It is very high. We need to talk about that.’ I was shocked. I couldn’t remember doing anything wrong.”
He requested the photo of the violation on the A2 highway near Weert from the Central Judicial Collection Agency. “I have a car with the ability to make hands-free calls. I’m also left-handed, but I scratch my head there with my right hand. I have objected. I’m waiting for that. It can take up to 26 weeks for the objection to be processed.”
The smart police cameras are equipped with artificial intelligence. So this AI camera was wrong. It is typical that it happens to Tim in particular. He works for a company in Oirschot and Tim is working on the software behind smart cameras. “It’s kind of funny that it happens to me. A smart camera works with an algorithm. I make algorithms to extract information from images. I can think of what might have gone wrong here.”
“He must be calling.”
The algorithm must be trained to learn when someone is using their phone while driving. “You do that by putting all kinds of images in it. With each image you indicate what you see. These are images of people calling. Or have something in your hand. Or not having any control over anything.”
The algorithm must ultimately recognize when a violation has occurred. “I suspect that there are no, or too few, photos of someone sitting with an empty hand near his or her ear.”
The photo of the violation must also be checked by an officer. According to Tim, it is understandable that his photo was incorrectly assessed by this employee. “If you look at the photo very quickly, you might think: ‘He must be talking on the phone.’ There is a dark shadow in my hand.”
“You should only not fine doubtful cases.”
And so Tim ends up with a ticket for scratching his head. He will receive an answer to his objection within 26 weeks. “I assume I don’t have to pay him. My tip: if you receive such a fine, check your photo to be sure. Then object if you have not called.”
Despite the inconvenience of this fine, Tim thinks the smart cameras are a very nice tool. “The cameras are super valuable. If you don’t have them, people have to issue those tickets. Then you can control far fewer people. Then you are left with more danger on the road. You should not fine only doubtful cases. Then you get something like what is happening to me now.”
And if the police cannot solve the problem themselves, they can always contact Tim. “I do all kinds of things with analyzing camera images. I think it would be nice to help if necessary. They can call or email.”
