This week, unmarked road safety enforcement vans are being deployed across the Avon and Somerset area to tackle persistent speeding issues. The initiative comes after extensive evidence from community reports, Community Speedwatch schemes, and collision data, all highlighting areas where speeding is a recurring problem. These new vans are part of a broader effort to reduce serious collisions and encourage safer driving habits across the region.

What makes these unmarked vans different?

Unlike traditional marked police vehicles, these unmarked vans are designed to catch speeding drivers off guard. Instead of drivers only slowing down when they see a visible police presence, they must maintain safe speeds at all times, as they won't know when and where the unmarked vans are operating.

Equipped with state-of-the-art technology, the new vans are ready to tackle a range of offences. They feature 360-degree cameras to monitor traffic from all angles and long-range detection technology that can identify speeding and other violations from a distance. With night-time enforcement capabilities through infrared technology and automatic number plate recognition (ANPR), the vans can operate both day and night to detect a wide range of traffic offences.

Chief Inspector Robert Cheeseman, Head of Roads Policing and Road Safety, emphasised that this initiative is about saving lives, not catching people out: "The use of unmarked speed detection vans is not about catching people out; it's about protecting lives. Speeding is one of the leading causes of fatal and serious injury collisions, and we are committed to using every tool at our disposal to address this."

Why the need for unmarked vans?

One of the key reasons for using unmarked vans is that drivers often reduce their speed when they spot marked enforcement vehicles, only to speed up once they're out of sight. The unmarked vans remove this tendency by encouraging drivers to consistently stay within the speed limit, as they won't know where enforcement is taking place. These vans aren't just about speeding either—they're part of a strategy to tackle the "Fatal Five" offences: speeding, drink/drug driving, not wearing a seatbelt, careless driving, and using a mobile phone while driving.

Additionally, while the legality of unmarked vans may surprise some, it's essential to know that they are entirely legal. There's no requirement for speed-detection vehicles to be marked or for drivers to be given advance warnings. The goal is simple: to improve road safety by making sure drivers consistently adhere to the rules.

Shouldn't the police be catching 'real criminals'?

Some residents may wonder why the police are focusing so heavily on traffic offences when there are other priorities to consider. The reality is that traffic-related offences pose a significant risk to public safety. In 2023 alone, 63 people lost their lives in 55 collisions across Avon and Somerset. Reducing preventable deaths on the road is a critical aspect of maintaining public safety, which is why traffic enforcement remains a priority.

Isn't this just revenue generation?

There's also the question of whether these vans are simply a way for the authorities to generate revenue. However, all revenue generated from speed enforcement is reinvested into road safety initiatives and educational programmes. The primary objective here isn't financial gain, but rather to reduce speeding, prevent collisions, and save lives.

How are the locations for the vans chosen?

The placement of these unmarked vans is carefully determined based on evidence from past incidents, community feedback, and data from speed enforcement and Community Speedwatch schemes. Areas with a known problem of persistent speeding and a heightened risk of collisions are prioritised, ensuring that the vans are used where they are most needed.

As these new unmarked vans hit the roads, motorists in Somerset are reminded to drive safely, adhere to speed limits, and be aware that enforcement could occur anywhere, anytime.