Safe Speed Forums

THERE'S no hiding place for drivers who break the speed limit, use hand-held mobile phones or behave erratically on Cheshire's major roads.

Sharp-eyed travellers may have noticed signs erected on the A41 near Chester and at other black-spots across the county warning drivers: Police - aircraft traffic enforcement.

That's because the decision has been taken for the Hawarden-based Cheshire police spotter plane to monitor roads with a notorious safety record on its way to and back from incidents.

Superintendent Phil Charlton, of the uniformed operations command team, stressed the plane was not being scrambled to deliberately target motorists but was keeping an eye on the roads as part of its day-to-day work.

He said: 'The message I want to put across is that drivers need to take personal responsibility for themselves on the roads.

'They shouldn't be using mobile phones or exceeding the speed limit. They should make sure their vehicle is taxed and insured.

'When you weigh up the human tragedy on a family of somebody dying suddenly and the ripples across the community, then preventing one road traffic fatality has to be worth it and that's why we want to put over the message that the plane is looking at your behaviour.

'If you are driving sensibly and within the speed limit you have nothing to fear.'

In answer to critics' views that the initiative was 'a waste of money', he pointed out each fatal accident costs society an average of about £1.4m in terms of police, fire and ambulance resources, the insurance claim, loss of earnings, court time and prison costs where someone is convicted of causing death by dangerous driving and disability benefits paid out to surviving passengers.

In terms of its capabilities, the plane can measure a vehicle's speed and focus in on the number plate and even the driver to see if they are on a mobile phone. Video footage can be used as evidence in court.

'We can target people speeding, using mobile phones, people overtaking on double white lines or driving erratically which could indicate someone has been drinking and driving. We can alert ground patrols that the car is coming into Chester and ask them to stop the vehicle,' added Supt Charlton.

'The plane is another tool to try and reduce accidents.'

'The plane is another tool to try and reduce accidents.'

I am intrigued as to how the aircraft will measure speeds though

http://www.pistonheads.com/pics/news/16728/island1-t.jpg
edit: for some reason the photo doesn't show (but it does in my preview)

Mmm, I was wondering the same thing... unless Cheshire have really been splashing out on the last of their scamera income and bought themselves one of these