Raleigh, North Carolina — The North Carolina Highway Patrol began issuing citations to commercial drivers caught with a hand on a cell phone after installing AI‑driven cameras along I‑40 this spring.

Truckers have long faced stricter handheld‑device rules than passenger‑vehicle operators. Under state law, any use of a mobile phone while operating a commercial vehicle counts as an infraction, while only texting triggers a violation for private cars. The new technology gives officers a way to enforce that rule without relying on visual spotting alone.

Acucensus, the company behind the system, positioned high‑resolution cameras at several mile‑markers on the interstate. Each unit snaps a still of the cab interior and records the truck’s license plate as it passes. Proprietary AI software then scans the images for the tell‑tale posture of a driver holding a device. When the algorithm flags a match, a trooper receives an instant alert and a calculated countdown to the driver’s next patrol checkpoint. Sergeant Chris Knox of the Highway Patrol explained that the program targets “those rolling the dice and not putting their phones down and not looking at the road.”

What This Means for Drivers

CDL‑A drivers must now assume that a camera could capture a momentary glance at a navigation app and trigger a ticket. Owner‑operators who rely on handheld GPS units face the same risk unless they switch to mount‑based solutions. Fleet managers are being urged to audit driver‑training programs and reinforce the prohibition on any handheld device use. The system also means that a violation could be issued even if a trooper does not physically stop the truck, potentially arriving by mail or email after the fact.

Industry Reaction

Trucking associations have voiced a mix of support and alarm. Some carriers praise the move as a concrete step toward reducing crashes caused by distracted driving. Others warn that the technology could be weaponized against drivers, citing concerns about false positives and the lack of a real‑time human review before a citation is issued. Advocacy groups for independent owner‑operators argue that the cost of defending a ticket could outweigh the safety benefits, especially in a market already strained by driver shortages and rising freight rates.

Key Points

• Acucensus cameras operate on I‑40 and capture both cab interiors and license plates.
• AI analysis flags drivers holding a phone, then alerts troopers with a countdown to the nearest patrol vehicle.
• North Carolina law treats any handheld phone use by commercial drivers as an infraction, unlike passenger‑vehicle rules.
• Future upgrades could allow remote ticketing without a physical traffic stop.

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