Should Stealth Vans and Drones be Used for Road Safety?
Martin Smith
Pegasus Couriers MD
From Drones to ‘undercover’ police vans issuing traffic fines from a distance – what happened to visible policing?
Using stealth vans and drones to monitor roads is a controversial issue. Some people believe this technology is an effective way to deter speeding and improve road safety. In contrast, others argue that they are simply a way for the government to generate revenue.
Here we talk about road safety and technology.
Cash Cow or Road Safety or Both?
In a bid to stop speeding, various police departments in England are looking at technology – such as drones or hidden camera vans.
The government is trialling ‘stealth’ unmarked speed camera vans in Northamptonshire, England, and could be rolled out nationally if the project is successful. Meanwhile, Devon and Cornwall Police now use drones to track dangerous drivers and illegal activity.
Both projects aim to encourage drivers to travel the speed limit consistently; however, some would point out that it also generates multi-millions in revenue each year.
The End of Visible Policing?
The grey vans are said to be harder to spot and the drones hover overhead – effectively taking away the visible policing aspect.
Both vans and drones are equipped with speed detection technology, and they can record the speed of passing vehicles.
The drones can even take video evidence of speeding drivers and check a vehicle’s insurance, MOT, and road tax status. If a driver is caught speeding, they will be issued a fine and points on their driving licence.
The police believe that the unmarked vans will be more effective at deterring speeding than the traditional brightly coloured vans where drivers are less able to tell if they are being monitored.
Politicians have since asked if the stealth van cameras were to promote safety or raise money – a valid question.
Speed is a Killer
There is no doubt that speeding is a major problem on our roads. Speeding is the most significant cause of road deaths, contributing to about half of the UK’s 1,500 annual road deaths.
Transport Scotland said that during 2021 they had seen 5,023 road incidents, of which 139 were fatal.
The latest 2023 Government road safety campaign states that 60% of all serious and fatal collisions involving young male drivers happened on rural roads.
Are Hidden Cameras The Solution
It is important to note that these technologies are not a silver bullet. They are not always effective in deterring speeding, and they can be expensive to operate. The debate about speed cameras and drones will likely continue for some time. There are strong arguments on both sides of the issue.
Many believe that cameras are merely tools and that more Police in cars will get the best results.
Politicians appear unconvinced about the cameras, with many lashing out, suggesting speed cameras are cash machines rather than helping with safety. While it seems obvious that cameras and technology will likely enhance road safety.
The vans have already caused some public debate in some areas, with people saying the vans are a “money trap”.
What Can We Do To Curb Road Collisions
Businesses can play a role in reducing speeding by providing driver training and education. For example, at Pegasus Couriers, we have driver induction training and general health and safety training – including vehicle safety. This aims to educate drivers on the dangers of speeding and other general safety issues. At Pegasus Couriers, we are focused on road safety and are constantly adapting our methods.
If you are interested in becoming a courier driver in the UK, get in contact with us today.
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