Talk Morgan Forums Community The Malvern Arms Unmarked mobile camera Vans are being trialled

Warning to motorists as new 'stealth' speed camera vans which are painted grey to avoid detection are trialled - and could be rolled out nationally


Motorists are being warned about a new generation of 'stealth' speed camera vans - which are painted grey so they are harder to see.

The unmarked mobile traps are being trialled in Northamptonshire - and if successful they could be rolled out nationally.

Existing speed vans have been rewrapped in a matte grey coating rather than the typical bright orange and yellow markings normally seen on UK roads.

It is not a legal requirement for the police or local authorities to warn motorists about any cameras up ahead.

Police say unmarked speed camera vans encourage consistently safe driving rather than the yo-yo effect of drivers slowing down for brightly coloured speed camera vans, then speeding up again afterwards.

'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.'

Bit early for the April 1st

I’m fairly sure that Dorset are already using something similar.
Bud
4/4 - Stanley

Another tax opportunity

It makes a total mockery of the "they are for safety not tax".
Still as long as we know where to post the stink bombs that's fine.

This begs the question as to what the police define as ‘successful’ for the Northamptonshire trial. More pile ups as drivers brake hard once they notice the van, more adverse publicity for the police or just more revenue?

At a road safety meeting I once attended the speaker’s opinion was sought as to which scenario was safer : a vehicle travelling on the same straight road at 71mph in dry conditions, perfect viz and light traffic volume or at 69 mph in wet, dark and heavy traffic conditions. Without blinking an eye, the verdict was that it was the slower vehicle because it was driving legally.

Perhaps this is why the kit in these vans are referred to as safety cameras.

The matt grey colour would look good on a Morgan though,

Call me old fashioned but I would have thought at this nadir in Police confidence that we all have after some truly atrocious behaviour and force reviews that they would want to be projecting a good honest image.

This sort of bullshit is anything but and will firm the publics view of them as fairly distrustful and disingenuous

"Police say unmarked speed camera vans encourage consistently safe driving rather than the yo-yo effect of drivers slowing down for brightly coloured speed camera vans, then speeding up again afterwards".
Have they driven round the M25 and witnessed the effects of the variable speed limit

Speed camera vans have not been used in Essex for some years replaced by hand held Laser video cameras with a range of 750 metres.