Drones Trial to Monitor Driving to Aid Devon and Cornwall Police

In an attempt to improve road safety, Devon and Cornwall police have turned to technology in the form of drones to track the driving habits of road users. The police already have a Drone Unit, and they have been called to work with the road police teams to look for illegal activity and dangerous drivers on the roads of these two counties.

High Tech Drones

Harnessing all of the latest technologies, the fleet of road monitoring drones is able to work in a wide variety of temperatures and weather conditions. This will give the police a comprehensive picture of what is happening, for example, in heavy rain, snow, sun, or any other climate. The drones are able to collate and track a variety of useful data, including the speed of the vehicle and any incidents they may come across. These high-definition videos will be accepted as evidence in court or for police matters when it comes to drivers who are caught speeding. They are also equipped to make spot checks on the status of vehicle insurance, MOT and road tax. Devon and Cornwall's police have said they will also be a huge asset in locating and tracking stolen vehicles.

Valuable Information

Devon and Cornwall police have already implemented a new road safety campaign called Vision Zero South West. It is designed to reduce road death numbers and injuries from current levels right down to zero. The drones will provide a vital source of information that can be used by the police to bring about convictions for lawbreakers. Drivers are likely to be entirely unaware of the drones working as they are capable of tracking vehicles in a 4-mile radius. The main area of deployment will be routes that are seen as high-harm routes, for example, motorways and notorious A roads. This is the first UK police force to introduce drones on roads, and others will be watching to see the results. As previously mentioned, the footage collected can be used in a court of law for serious road incidents and as part of the conviction of penalty points and finds issued by the police force themselves.

Motorcycle Safety

The Head of Roads Policing for Devon and Cornwall Police, Chief Inspector Ben Asbury, spoke about the devastation seen in 2022, stating that it was a significantly terrible year for fatal and serious road conditions, particularly those involving motorbikes. Statistics from last year showed that, sadly, 16 motorcycle riders were killed in collisions on Devon and Cornwall roads, with 187 more injured in a serious or life-changing manner. These are the highest figures seen over the last five years. Despite the fact that there only 1% of traffic is made up of motorbikes, they are involved in a third of all fatal and serious collisions. He also spoke of his desire to reduce this number significantly and reminded people that statistics are made up of people's loved ones, whether it be their partners, parents, friends, sons, or daughters.