For decades, the fight against drunk driving has relied on sobriety checkpoints, police patrols, and roadside breath tests. While effective, these methods depend heavily on chance encounters and are resource-intensive. Now, new technology is emerging that could revolutionize how authorities detect impaired drivers: AI-powered cameras designed to spot signs of drunk or drug-impaired driving in real time.
At the forefront of this movement is Acusensus, an Australian company already known for using cameras to catch drivers using mobile phones and not wearing seatbelts. After success in Australia and abroad, the company is trialing a new application of its technology—identifying potential impairment behind the wheel.
Who Is Acusensus?
Founded in 2018 in Melbourne, Acusensus specializes in AI-based enforcement systems that help governments improve road safety. Its flagship product, Heads-Up, is already deployed in several countries to detect:
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Illegal mobile phone use while driving
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Seatbelt non-compliance
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Speeding (point-to-point and spot speed)
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Unregistered or hot-listed vehicles
These systems can be installed on fixed poles, set up in portable trailers, or mounted on vehicles, making them flexible tools for enforcement. Governments and police use them not just to issue fines, but also to shape public safety campaigns and reduce risky behavior on the roads.
While its earlier focus was on distracted driving and seatbelt violations, Acusensus has now expanded its mission: using AI to help stop impaired drivers before they cause harm.
Trials in the UK: Real-Time Police Alerts
One of the most high-profile trials of Acusensus’s new technology is happening in the United Kingdom. In Devon and Cornwall, AI-powered cameras are being used to monitor highways for behavior consistent with impaired driving.
The system does not measure alcohol or drugs directly. Instead, it analyzes driving patterns, such as:
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Erratic lane changes
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Inconsistent speed control
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Swerving or drifting between lanes
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Delayed reaction times visible in traffic flow
When such behavior is flagged, the system sends an instant alert to nearby police officers, who can intercept the vehicle. Once stopped, officers use standard tools such as breathalyzers or drug swabs to confirm impairment.
In early results, cameras deployed on busy highways like the A30 detected hundreds of potential violations within just a few days. This suggests that AI could become a valuable tool for directing law enforcement resources where they’re needed most (Highways News).
Australian Innovation: The Impaired Project
Back in its home country, Acusensus has launched the Impaired Project in collaboration with Griffith University and Queensland authorities.
This project focuses on building robust algorithms that can reliably identify signs of impairment. Researchers are running both driving simulator studies and real-world field trials to capture behavioral data. The system learns to distinguish between normal driving variations and those linked to alcohol or drug impairment.
Key behaviors being studied include:
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Lane position stability
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Speed fluctuation
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Steering corrections
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Braking response times
The Australian Office of Road Safety has backed the initiative, seeing it as a potential breakthrough in reducing road fatalities linked to impaired driving (ITS Australia).
How the Technology Works
While breathalyzers test for blood alcohol concentration directly, Acusensus technology takes a behavioral analysis approach.
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Data Capture – Cameras continuously record vehicle movement with high-resolution sensors and AI software.
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Pattern Recognition – The system analyzes driving behavior, comparing it to known markers of impairment.
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Flagging – If irregularities are detected, an alert is sent to law enforcement in real time.
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Intervention – Police officers intercept the driver and conduct a roadside sobriety test.
The process is designed as a support tool, not a replacement for law enforcement. AI provides the intelligence, but human officers make the final decision on whether impairment has occurred.
Benefits of AI Drunk Driving Detection
If successful, Acusensus’s impaired driving detection technology could bring multiple benefits:
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Early Intervention: Instead of waiting for impaired drivers to cause an accident, police can stop them proactively.
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Efficient Policing: Real-time alerts help law enforcement allocate resources effectively, focusing on the drivers most likely to be impaired.
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Deterrence Effect: Just like speed cameras reduce speeding, the knowledge that cameras can detect impairment may discourage drivers from drinking or using drugs before getting behind the wheel.
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Scalability: Cameras can operate 24/7, covering more ground than limited police patrols.
Challenges and Limitations
While promising, the technology faces significant hurdles before widespread adoption.
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Accuracy: Detecting impairment through behavior is complex. Fatigue, distraction, or medical conditions can mimic some signs of drunk driving. Systems must minimize false positives to be credible.
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Privacy Concerns: Continuous monitoring of driver behavior raises questions about data storage, usage, and deletion. Acusensus states that non-offense data is quickly deleted, but public trust will be essential.
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Legal Frameworks: For evidence from AI cameras to be admissible in court, new laws may be required. Many countries currently rely on breathalyzer results as the legal standard.
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Public Acceptance: Drivers may resist new surveillance tools, especially if they perceive them as invasive. Clear communication about safety benefits will be crucial.
Global Expansion Potential
If trials in the UK and Australia prove successful, Acusensus could expand impaired driving detection programs worldwide. Countries already using Acusensus technology for distracted driving and seatbelt enforcement—such as the United States and New Zealand—are logical next steps.
In the U.S., where impaired driving remains a leading cause of traffic deaths, the ability to proactively identify at-risk drivers could be a game-changer. Similarly, European countries with strong road safety goals may adopt the technology as part of their “Vision Zero” initiatives to eliminate road deaths.
Comparing AI Cameras vs. Traditional Methods
| Method | How It Works | Strengths | Limitations |
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| Sobriety Checkpoints | Random roadside stops + breath tests | Proven legal standard, accurate BAC testing | Resource-heavy, limited coverage |
| Police Patrols | Officers observe and stop suspicious drivers | Human judgment, flexible enforcement | Depends on officer availability |
| AI Cameras (Acusensus) | Analyze driving behavior + alert police | Scalable, 24/7 coverage, proactive alerts | Still in trials, accuracy not fully proven |
This comparison shows why AI detection is not a replacement but a complement to traditional methods.
Conclusion: The Future of Drunk Driving Detection
AI cameras to detect drunk driving are no longer science fiction—they’re in live trials today. Companies like Acusensus are pioneering systems that analyze driving behavior, flag potential impairment, and help police intervene before tragedy strikes.
While challenges around accuracy, legality, and privacy remain, the potential benefits are clear: fewer crashes, safer roads, and lives saved.
Just as speed cameras changed how we think about enforcement, AI drunk driving detection could be the next big step in road safety technology. The trials in the UK and Australia may well determine whether this future becomes reality worldwide.