The invention discloses a vehicle converse running intelligent detection device and a method. The method comprises the following steps of: firstly, obtaining video data of a monitored area through an image acquisition unit; then, pointedly setting a detection area through a detection area setting unit; further seeking a suspected foreground through a foreground seeking unit and eliminating part of false foreground through a valid foreground screening unit; later, classifying the screened foreground according to whether the foreground has a vehicle lamp area through a foreground classification unit, and respectively storing the classified foreground through a foreground historic data storage unit; then, matching the foreground of the current frame with the historic foreground through a matching unit, and updating historic foreground data in real time through an updating unit; and finally, providing alarm information according to foreground mass centre motion direction by a converse running judging unit. According to the invention, by the method of respectively judging through distinguishing whether the foreground has vehicle lamp, the problem that the foreground is disordered and cannot be recognized caused by the vehicle lamp light is solved effectively.