One of two new road safety camera vans in Hertfordshire was deployed on a country road this week.
The new van, which clocks the speed of passing motorists, was parked up in Aldenham Road near Elstree on Tuesday after residents raised concerns with police about speeding in the area.
Hertfordshire Police and Crime Commissioner David Lloyd has funded both vehicles in response to public requests for more action to be taken against drivers who break the law.
The vans took to lay-bys in March and will be stationed in roads sites identified as areas of concern by local residents, businesses and partner organisations.
The vans will particularly operate in 30mph zones, and locations where speeding is an issue but which have not necessarily involved deaths or serious injuries.
Speaking back in March, Mr Lloyd said: "My role is to keep the public safe and reduce crime. Speeding and road safety is one of the topics of concern I hear about most from the people of Hertfordshire.
"These vans are a response to that demand for action. They will provide a supplementary reassuring high visibility presence and improve the quality of life for local communities."
Hertfordshire police and crime commissioner David Lloyd pictured with the two new road safety vans in March
More than 10,000 people recently responded to a survey by the commissioner’s office with more than two thirds responding to say they see offences such as speeding or using a mobile phone on a daily or weekly basis.
Three members of staff are operating the two new vans, which are based at Hemel Hempstead and Hitchin Police Stations, but will cover the whole of Hertfordshire.
Assistant Chief Constable Genna Telfer added: "These vans are an excellent resource to support our efforts to improve road safety and reduce the number of casualties on Hertfordshire’s roads. The fact that the public has a say in how they are deployed is a really positive step forward."
left to right: Assistant chief constable Gemma Telfer, David Lloyd, and Cllr Phil Bibby, cabinet member for highways at Hertfordshire County Council. Photo taken in March
The camera vans will issue advisory letters for non-compliance in an attempt to educate drivers and change behaviour. But they are built to the same standards and specification as those currently used by the Constabulary’s cameras tickets and collisions department.
The project is being run as a one-year pilot paid for by the commissioner's road safety fund, which collects money from fines and court costs generated from motorists who have committed driving offences.
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