Heads up: Police use drones to target speeding bikers in the South West

MCN reported last week how the skies above Northumbria were abuzz with drone activity as the British Transport Police and local officers used the technology to identify and seize four bikes being ridden illegally. Now Devon and Cornwall Police are following suit, this time using drones to target unsafe or irresponsible riders.

The scheme – a four-way way collaboration between Devon and Cornwall Police’s drone unit, roads policing team, road casualty reduction officers and speed detection officers – aims to reduce motorcycle accidents after a spate of collisions in 2022 resulted in the death of 16 riders, the highest since 2017.

Chief Inspector Ben Asprey, Head of Roads Policing at Devon and Cornwall Police, said: “Despite motorcyclists making up less than 1% of overall traffic, they account for roughly a third of all serious and fatal collisions in our area.

“But it’s important to remember that these aren’t just numbers, these are people’s loved ones – and we are determined to drive those numbers down.”

Launched at the beginning of National Motorcycle Safety Week (April 3-9) the drones will calculate vehicle speed using fixed points on the highway and will also record live video of all incidents.

When a vehicle is detected breaking the law, details will be relayed to officers on the ground to check the MOT, tax and insurance status of the motorbike and whether it is reported as stolen.

If you or a loved one are heading out on the roads this gorgeous Easter weekend please think about how you ride/drive. We’ve got proactive @DC_RPT officers out across the force & we’re with them.
Here’s some clips from yesterday’s successful deployment 👀@VisionZeroSW@DC_Police pic.twitter.com/kJBTa8sQyq
— Devon & Cornwall and Dorset Police Drones (@PoliceDrones) April 8, 2023
 

Nearby speed detection officers will then use calibrated laser cameras to accurately record the speed of the vehicle before the rider is pulled over by police.

Riders identified as travelling inappropriately will be given words of advice, referred on to a specific training course or issued with a fine and penalty points. In more serious cases, riders will be reported to court for prosecution or arrested on the spot.

Chief Inspector Asprey added: “Speed and inappropriate riding have been major contributory factors in the motorcycle collisions we have attended. Travelling too fast gives you less time to react and dramatically increases their risk of being fatally or seriously injured.

It's been a very busy weekend so far on the roads of D and C OP COSSET continues to see examples of poor riding and driving, every road user should be able to use the road without the fear being injured or worse@VisionZeroSW @PoliceDrones pic.twitter.com/OE3yB35fKw
— Devon and Cornwall Roads Policing Team 🚔 (@DC_RPT) April 10, 2023
 

“Many of these serious collisions have not involved any other road users, meaning inappropriate riding and motorcyclist error is also a major factor.

“Motorcyclists are already a vulnerable road user group, not least because they have considerably less protection than drivers of cars or other vehicles. Preventing any further unnecessary loss of life is our top priority.”