Warning as police trial stealth speed camera vans, painted matte grey

[Chippy_Tea]

I thought they camera vans were brought in to make the roads safer not generate cash for the police



The vans do not come with the usual fluorescent yellow markings and are instead designed to blend into a sky and road background

Motorists are being urged to stick to speed limits as UK police forces continue trials of unmarked speed camera vans. Speed awareness technology providers, Road Angel, are urging motorists to take responsibility for driving within the limit regardless of enforcement measures being used by police.

The so-called ‘stealth vans’ are currently being rolled out in Northamptonshire, and if successful the rest of the country could also see undercover speed cameras. These vehicles are re-wrapped existing speed vans which are covered in a matte grey coating, rather than the typical bright orange and yellow markings seen on UK roads.

Despite common misconceptions about speed camera warnings, it is not a legal requirement for the police nor local authorities to warn motorists about any cameras up ahead. Although the majority of static and mobile speed cameras do come with a sign telling drivers to keep their speed down else get caught - advanced warnings are more of a deterrent than anything else.

The idea behind unmarked speed camera vans is to encourage consistently safe driving rather than the yo-yo effect that can sometimes occur when drivers slow down for marked vans. Although the scheme has currently only been introduced in Northamptonshire, other police forces could soon roll out these covert camera vans across other regions across the country.

It comes after a drop in driver safety following the pandemic, as research reveals that one in four fatal collisions on UK roads occurs because of speeding. Shockingly, this means that over 2,500 people are seriously injured or harmed each year, due to inappropriate speeding.

Speed cameras have long proved their effectiveness in deterring motorists from speeding and thus reducing the number of fatalities and injuries. Mobile camera sites were seen to reduce speeding drivers by 18% and stopped 70% of excessively fast vehicles at fixed camera locations.


As other police forces could soon be rolling out undercover speed camera vans, experts at Road Angel hope this will further encourage drivers to be mindful of their speed and the danger it poses to themselves and all other road users. Without a pre-warning a speed camera is up ahead, motorists should think twice before unnecessarily and illegally speeding along all different road types wherever, and whenever, they travel.

It is hoped that if anything, drivers will rethink their speed instead of risking getting caught by one of the undercover mobile speed camera vans. Anyone caught speeding by a camera will receive a Notice of Intended Prosecution within a fortnight and a section 172 notice - this means the driver has 28 days to report who was behind the wheel, and could be faced with a £100 fine and three points on their licence.


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Gary Digva, founder of Road Angel said: “Introducing these undercover mobile speed camera vans is a positive step forward in reducing the amount of speeding drivers on UK roads. Motorists should be aware that other police forces across the country too could be rolling out these covert camera vans and should watch their speed wherever they travel.

“The safest way to drive is to assume that every van you see on the road is carrying a speed camera - then you’ll never break the limit, avoid fines and stay safe. For motorists that need that extra bit of help keeping within the limit there is technology available that provides drivers with key speed information and safety alerts.

“Although there is certainly still a long way to go to stop speeding vehicles and the number of fatalities and injuries it causes, I hope that deploying these vans will mean motorists will think twice before putting their foot down. “Not only will you be slapped with a hefty fine and points on your licence, you’re also seriously putting your own and other road users' lives seriously in danger.”

https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/uk-news/warning-police-trial-stealth-speed-26591523

 

[Leon103]

Shame they don't fund the police, perhaps there would be more police in the streets if it did. The money goes to government. In fact the police in some areas don't run the speed cameras, in Wales it's welsh government iniative

 

[Benfleet Brewery]

Unfortunately the fluorescent yellow vans only slow traffic down a few hundred yards in front of where the fluorescent yellow van is. As motorists start to realise they could be hiding anywhere they may be more inclined to stick to the speed limit elsewhere.

 

[klaus]

Stick to speed limit?
Can't afford tickets/points? Don't speed.
No saint, I have had my share of tickets

 

[Chippy_Tea]

Stick to speed limit?

Its not always that simple i got a ticket for doing 38 in a 30 it was a road leading into a village that was signed 40 a couple of miles before the village i didn't see the 30 sign and was still doing 38 when the camera van got me.

They would do better parking in my town and doing everyone that parks on box junctions and runs red light, the latter seems to be the latest craze round here.

 

[Leon103]

Its not always that simple i got a ticket for doing 38 in a 30 it was a road leading into a village that was signed 40 a couple of miles before the village i didn't see the 30 sign and was still doing 38 when the camera van got me.

They would do better parking in my town and doing everyone that parks on box junctions and runs red light, the latter seems to be the latest craze round here.

Separate camera for running lights.

 

[MashBag]

We seem to be suffering from young ladette missiles round here. Not just speeding, also stupidly fast through junctions.

 

[Graz]

Thought all new cars were getting fitted with GPS based limiters soon anyway. Can do away with speed cameras altogether then as it will be impossible to speed

Driving is no longer something for pleasure or fun. Used to enjoy a good B road blast in my Impreza but these days you have to be constantly on the lookout

 

[Chippy_Tea]

Can do away with speed cameras altogether then as it will be impossible to speed

I seem to remember some expert years ago saying that wouldn't work as all the cars would bunch up and there would be huge jams a bit like now when the motorway clogs up you assume there has been an accident then the road finally clears and there hasn't been one.

 

[Clint]

My Mrs car sees the speed limit signs and posts them on the dash display. It would be better if there was an audible signal too. My old satnav used to alarm if approaching a fixed camera. It is sometimes difficult but I try to really pay attention especially round where I live as I'm surrounded by 20 zones.

 

[Chippy_Tea]

y Mrs car sees the speed limit signs and posts them on the dash display. It would be better if there was an audible signal too.

My car has this Clint it puts the speed limit sign on the dash similar to your wife's car.

You have the option to manually set the first speed warning beep at 3, 6 or 9mph above the actual speed limit shown, i have it set to 3mph above so in theory i shouldn't get a fine if i go 6mph above a voice tells me i am breaking the speed limit as at this speed you would get fined.

This isn't mine but it shows how it works -