Police drones catching dangerous drivers

Watch out for the eye in the sky

Devon & Cornwall Police are taking to the skies to catch dangerous drivers by using Ariel drones.

The force’s drone unit is linking up with the roads policing team, road casualty reduction officers and speed detection officers to target unsafe or irresponsible driving and riding.

The operation, launched as part of National Motorcycle Safety Week (April 3rd – 9th), will have a particular focus on motorcyclists after a spate of collisions in 2022 that resulted in the death or serious injury of more than 200 riders across Devon and Cornwall.

Operating in identified by intelligence, the drones will help calculate vehicle speed live using fixed points on the highway. They will also record live videos of all incidents, meaning any dangerous or inappropriate driving will be caught on camera.

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

Nearby speed detection officers will then use calibrated laser cameras to accurately record the speed of the vehicle before the driver or rider is pulled over by Police road casualty reduction officers.

Depending on the offense detected, the offending motorcyclist will be given words of advice, referred 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.

Inspector Colin Harper of Devon & Cornwall Police’s Drone team said “This innovative use of drones will give us early warning of any offenses and allow us to be far more targeted in our approach on the ground.

“We will be deploying this technology on roads where we know motorbikes are traveling too fast, and also around dates and locations where motorcycle events are scheduled to take place.

“This technology can and will be used to help detect speeding and dangerous driving in all vehicles on our roads. At present, our focus is on motorcyclists who are at highest risk according to our data, particularly at this time of year when more riders will be venturing out again after the winter.”

Vision Zero South West has made tackling motorcycle collisions a priority for 2023 with many more biker-targeted activities planned. These include engagement events, video projects, training opportunities and a publicity campaign designed to change behaviour among riders.