A high-tech traffic camera trial on the M4 motorway near Swindon has caught over 1,000 drivers breaking the law in just five days, prompting a storm of public reaction and reigniting debate about the balance between road safety and policing priorities.

The AI-enabled camera, which detects motorists not wearing seatbelts or using mobile phones while driving, was tested between junctions 14 and 15.

The scale of offending uncovered during the brief trial has shocked many, but opinions remain deeply divided over whether such technology should become a permanent fixture.

For some, the camera is a necessary deterrent against dangerous driving habits that put lives at risk.

Amelia Claydon-Smith shared a tragic personal story, recalling how a loved one was killed by a lorry driver who was texting at the wheel. “How stupid are people!

And how many times do we see people waving around on the road because using their phone!” she wrote, echoing the sentiments of many who believe the crackdown is long overdue.

Debbie Stinchcombe supported the return, highlighting that laws around phone use and seatbelts exist for a reason.

“Even the best drivers didn’t realise that these bad........

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