UNMARKED vans are being launched by police this week to tackle speeding issues in “targeted areas” across Somerset.
Unlike marked enforcement vehicles, unmarked vans are designed to encourage drivers to maintain safe speeds at all times, not just when enforcement is visible.
Chief Inspector Robert Cheeseman, head of roads policing and road safety, said: “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.
“The introduction of unmarked road safety enforcement vans represents a significant step forward in our commitment to reducing road fatalities and serious injuries.
“We urge all motorists to adhere to speed limits and recognise that road safety is a collective responsibility.”
This initiative follows evidence gathered from community reports, community speedwatch schemes, and collision data, highlighting areas where excess speed is a recurring problem.
Police say the aim is to deter speeding and prevent serious collisions by encouraging consistent safe driving behaviours.
The deployment of unmarked vans is part of a broader strategy focused on changing driver behaviour and addressing the “fatal five” offences: speeding, drink/drug driving, not wearing a seatbelt, careless driving, and using a mobile phone at the wheel.
Avon and Somerset Police have answered some frequently asked questions on their website, including why the vans are necessary, whether the vans are legal and whether the vans are a way to generate revenue.
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