SAFETY CAMERA PARTNERSHIP MAKES FIRST

Mid and South Wales Safety Camera Partnership has made the first UK arrest of a motorist for using a laser diffuser device to prevent the car’s speed being recorded by enforcement equipment.

The Partnership, which is responsible for static and mobile safety camera enforcement in the Dyfed Powys, South Wales and Gwent police force areas, clocked the speeding motorist on six occasions throughout South Wales but were unable to obtain a speed reading. The laser diffuser device (or jammer as they are often known) alerts the motorist to laser speed detectors and temporarily stops the detector from obtaining a reading.

Sergeant Gary Smart of South Wales Police said: “The motorist in question has since been arrested for perverting the course of justice and has admitted the offence.

“The Partnership will not tolerate the use of such diffuser devices. Clearly people using devices of this sort have the inclination to drive without due regard for speed limits and are obstructing officers in the course of their duty.”

Project manager of the Safety Camera Partnership, John Rowling, added: “While legislation has been passed making it illegal to use radar diffusers, there is currently no legislation in place regarding the laser devices although the government are looking at this important issue.

“The use of such devices is extremely dangerous as it gives the motorist licence to drive at inappropriate speeds, putting the safety of other road users at risk. I hope this arrest acts as a clear warning to those using such devices to enable them to drive in excess of the legal speed limit, and also potential buyers, that the Partnership will clamp down on their use.”

Notes to editors:

The Safety Camera Partnership in South Wales was set up in April 2000 under a piloted Government scheme allowing capital for the purchase of speed and red light cameras and enforcement equipment to be funded from fixed penalty revenue. It was extended to cover the Gwent and Dyfed Powys police force areas in April last year. Since the scheme began, the number of fatalities on South Wales roads has fallen by 25 per cent, with a 78 per cent reduction in pedestrian fatalities. The success has been largely due to a partnership-led approach to road safety.