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New camera snaps tailgating drivers

May 26, 2004 6:47 AM

British police are developing a new breed of roadside camera to trap tailgating motorists.

They believe that, unlike existing speed cameras, the device will be popular with drivers because it will combat one of the most dangerous activities on Britain's crowded roads.

The laser camera will measure the gaps between vehicles and record number plates so that offenders can be penalised.

Meredydd Hughes of the Association of Chief Police Officers also revealed that new technology to allow roadside "drug-driving" tests could be rolled out very soon.

It had not yet been decided whether tailgating cameras could be used on urban roads as well as motorways and dual carriageways, said Hughes, who is Deputy Chief Constable of South Yorkshire Police.

"We are developing technology to help the detection of this problem," he said.

"We have tested a laser-based camera system which has been used mainly in the Alpine tunnels and has the potential to detect incidents of close following."

Research published by car and van manufacturer Mercedes-Benz found that tailgating can contribute to making motorway driving as stressful as running a marathon.

Tailgating by other drivers made a motorist's heartbeat rise to 150-155 beats per minute - equivalent to a top athlete running the 42 km race.

Hughes said: "The public have told us that close following is some of the most dangerous behaviour on the roads.

"It is something that is most frustrating for the public and we accept that.

"Evidence from the Transport Research Laboratory shows that it does contribute to road crashes."

Officers who catch tailgating motorists can currently charge them with careless driving, or even with dangerous driving.

Hughes revealed that a hand-held device to test for illegal drugs such as cannabis and cocaine could soon be introduced, but added that it may require a change in the law for the devices to be deployed by officers.

"Within a matter of months we expect to have prototype drug testing equipment to roll out to forces," he said.

"We are very close to effective drug detectors for roadside testing of illegal drugs."

Hughes said he was unable to confirm details of the drug testing machine, such as whether suspects would have to provide a saliva swab, adding that there were a "range of alternatives".