The four new speed camera vans will be deployed in the West Midlands and will be able to operate 24/7
The West Midlands is set to see four new high-tech vans patrolling the roads, each equipped with advanced technology to catch drivers not wearing seatbelts or using mobile phones while behind the wheel.
These state-of-the-art vehicles, costing around £47,000 each, can operate around the clock and are capable of capturing clear images of offenders from up to a mile away, including those driving under the influence of drink or drugs.
Police and Crime Commissioner Simon Foster has sanctioned an investment of £188,000 for these vans, which will be utilised by West Midlands Police. Expressing his dedication to improving road safety, Foster remarked: “Speeding is a major factor in road collisions, and it’s something I and West Midlands Police are determined to tackle.”
He further stated that this funding, sourced from the Safer Streets Fund, will “This investment, via the Safer Streets Fund, will significantly enhance our ability to catch speeding drivers and make our roads safer for everyone,” and emphasised that “There is no place for dangerous, reckless driving in our region.”
Reflecting on the devastating impact of speeding, he continued: “There have been far too many innocent lives lost as a result of those speeding above the limit. I look forward to seeing the vans out in action knowing the huge impact they will have to help improve safety on our roads.”
The new tech will continue the crack down on the ‘fatal four’ driving offences with the mobile cameras targeting speeding, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, not wearing a seatbelt, and using a mobile phone while at the wheel, reports the Express.
The region has seen a worrying increase in road casualties recently, with a staggering 1,149 people killed or seriously injured in 2023, marking a significant rise from previous years.
In response, local authorities are deploying eight additional speed camera vans, aiming to cut road fatalities by 50 per cent by 2030. Superintendent Gareth Mason of the Roads Policing Unit issued a stark warning: “Our message is clear: if you speed, you will be caught.”
He emphasised the impact of the new resources, stating, “These additional vans allow us to be more visible in communities and at known speeding hotspots, sending a strong message that speeding is unacceptable.”
Mason hailed the doubling of speed enforcement vans as a “Doubling the number of speed enforcement vans is a real game changer – this will dramatically strengthen our capacity to enforce the law across our road network.”
Expressing his appreciation for the funding, he said: “I’d like to thank the PCC for securing this level of investment as we all work together to help dramatically drive down speeds in our region.
“Our aim is to change the mindset of motorists. Drive safe and don’t put others at risk.”
