UNMARKED road safety enforcement vans will be deployed across Somerset to tackle persistent speeding issues and enhance road safety.

This initiative follows extensive evidence gathered from community reports, Community Speedwatch schemes, and collision data, highlighting areas where excess speed is a recurring problem. 

The aim is to deter speeding and prevent serious collisions by encouraging consistent safe driving behaviours.

In 2023, there were 55 collisions in Avon and Somerset that resulted in 63 fatalities. Effective traffic enforcement is important for reducing these incidents and enhancing the safety of communities.

In addition to detecting speeding offences, the new vans are equipped with 360-degree cameras and long-range detection technology capable of identifying other road traffic offences, including failure to wear a seatbelt and using a handheld device while driving. 

The vans also feature infrared capabilities for night-time enforcement and automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) technology. This means that offences can be detected day or night.

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.

Unlike marked enforcement vehicles, unmarked vans are designed to encourage drivers to maintain safe speeds at all times, not just when enforcement is visible.

There is no requirement for speed enforcement vehicles to be marked or for advance warnings to be provided to drivers. The goal is to deter dangerous driving and improve road safety for everyone.

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.”

Despite regular enforcement efforts, speeding remains a persistent issue in certain areas. Drivers often slow down when they see marked enforcement vehicles, only to resume speeding once they are out of sight. Unmarked vans encourage safe driving consistently, as drivers will be less certain of when and where they are being monitored.