AI CAMERAS logged more than 4,500 offences on the A361 Frome Bypass during a four-month trial at the accident blackspot.
The high-tech cameras were installed by Somerset Council and Avon and Somerset Police after a number of serious – including fatal – crashes on the stretch.
Part of an ongoing package of measures to improve safety on the road, the state-of-the-art devices picked up more than 4,500 offences between March and July 2025, including 4,407 incidents of no seat belt being worn, 74 speeding offences clocked at more than 80mph and 119 instances of mobile phone use.
The speed limit on the road is currently 60mph and as part of a road safety initiative, could be reduced to 50mph.
Used by about 15,000 vehicles a day, the road has sadly seen six fatalities in the last five years – four of them between 2023 and 2024.
Meanwhile, a partnership between Somerset Council’s Road Safety Team and Avon and Somerset Police is also developing a road safety engineering scheme.
Currently the subject of a feasibility study, the scheme could include a lower speed limit along with markings and other in-built safety features, with work starting in late 2026.
In the meantime, AI cameras will continue to operate on the road.
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Inspector Matt Boiles, of Avon and Somerset Police, said: “AI technology is helping us to identify unsafe driving behaviours that too often lead to tragedy. The number of offences recorded on the Frome Bypass is deeply concerning and shows that too many drivers are still taking unnecessary risks.
“This partnership approach allows us to combine enforcement with education and long-term road safety improvements. Every offence captured represents a potential life saved if that driver changes their behaviour.”
Last autumn, following the latest serious incidents, Somerset Council’s Highways Team carried out urgent work on the A361/A361 junction, including refurbishing lining, an upgrade of junction warning signs, introduction of STOP signs instead of Give Way, and an extension of the double white line systems on both approaches to the junction.
Lead member for transport and waste services, Councillor Richard Wilkins, said: “We share the concerns of the community about the number of incidents on this stretch of road. That is why we are working in partnership with Avon and Somerset Police to try to improve safety.
The A361 Frome Bypass has seen a number of serious crashes in recent years. Picture: Google
“AI cameras are part of a package of measures – we will also be working with police to put together an engineering scheme which could include a reduced speed limit as well as other measures.
“Driver behaviour contributes to around 90 per cent of serious road collisions and these figures are shocking. We would urge all drivers – if you are getting behind the wheel of a car please act responsibly. Remember it is not just your life you are risking but the lives of other road users.”
Reacting to the details of the camera trial, MP Anna Sabine (Lib Dem, Frome & East Somerset), said: “I am relived and encouraged to hear that a change to the speed limit is now being taken into consideration. This is an incredibly dangerous stretch of road, which has had far too many collisions and near misses to be considered an acceptable roadway for the public.
“When I first campaigned on this having just come into office last year, drastic changes like this seemed a long way off, so I am so pleased to see that the AI camera initiative will potentially lead to real changes being made so we can all feel safer driving.”
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The A361/A362 junction really needs to either have a roundabout or traffic lights – lowering the speed limit (which speed traps show many ignore) is not enough to stop the carnage continuing.