'Smarter' speed cameras added to Midlands roads and key feature means they can catch more drivers

New and improved speed cameras which will be able to catch more dangerous drivers are being rolled out onto Midlands roads. The mobile cameras, used by police when they park up in vans to monitor traffic, are now fitted with new technology allowing them to see drivers in low light, making them much more effective during the winter months.

The cameras are being used by Staffordshire Police in their latest move to tackle speeders. It comes after new digital speed cameras were added to hotspot roads in the county.

It allows officers to stay on the roads for longer where there are concerns over speeding. This is particularly important during the winter months when daylight hours are drastically reduced, limiting their powers up to now.

READ MORE: Manoeuvre done by drivers every day could be banned within weeks

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Teams will now be able to hit the roads earlier in the mornings and later in the afternoon during peak rush-hour times. Thousands of motorists are caught out by these mobile police vans every year across the Midlands, with motorists unaware of which roads police will visit and when.

Brumwish 2024 - buy a gift for a child in need

BrumWish 2024 is Birmingham Live's festive drive to get thousands of gifts to children and young people across our city - among them the homeless, the vulnerable, kids in care, kids who are poorly or struggling, and kids who have little.

There are THREE simple ways to help.

1. Buy a new gift from the Brumwish 2024 Amazon giftlist. In just a click your donation will be whizzing its way to our volunteers at Edgbaston Stadium.
2. Donate money to the appeal fund hosted by Thrive Together Birmingham - this will help pay for gifts for kids with specialist needs or specific wishes.
3. Buy a gift and, even better, rope in friends, neighbours and workmates to do the same, then drop off your pressies at Edgbaston Stadium, Edgbaston Road, B5 7QU on Friday 6th December, 10am - 3pm; Saturday 7th December, 10am - 1pm; or Monday 9th December, 10am - 1pm. Volunteers will be there to help you. Please don't wrap your gifts. You can also drop off by arrangement until Monday 16th December - contact Louise on 07469 979286.

Thanks to our partnership with #Toys4Birmingham, every single gift will find a good home in the loving care of a child living in B&Bs or hotels, hostels or refuges, children receiving support from specialist organisations and charities, and families being supported by children's centres and charities around the city.

Making up the Brumwish and Toys4Birmingham gang are Thrive Together Birmingham, Birmingham Playcare Network, Warwickshire Cricket Foundation (the charitable arm of Warwickshire County Cricket Club), Birmingham Forward Steps and BirminghamLive/Birmingham Mail.

Thank you to Amazon UK and the amazing team at the Sutton Coldfield depot for their support.

Staffordshire Safer Roads Partnership co-chairman Dave Evans told StokeonTrentLive: “We know that speeding is one of the top contributory factors for fatal collisions. The lack of visibility during the darker winter months adds to the risks posed to drivers themselves and other road users, especially children travelling to and from school. By allowing us to tackle speeding even in low light conditions, these upgraded cameras will help to make our roads safer for everyone to use, whatever the time of year.”