Police's Lotus Evora drive for safer roads

Devon and Cornwall Police have a new addition in their drive for safer roads in the shape of a Lotus sports car.

The Lotus Evora has been emblazoned with the official Force livery and has been doing the rounds at public events across Devon and Cornwall.

The £50,000 vehicle is being used by officers at public events to increase community engagement and to raise road safety awareness.

Sgt Owen Messenger has borrowed the car from Lotus, who are providing it free of charge. McDonald’s have kindly agreed to pay for the livery.

“We have taken the car to a few events now and the response has been overwhelming,” said Sgt Messenger. “People literally flock to it. It’s a stunning looking car and with the police badges it’s very unusual!”

The attention it generates gives Sgt Messenger and his team the opportunity to discuss road safety initiatives with people who might otherwise not engage with police.

“Understandably we get a lot of interest from younger drivers and those with an interest in performance cars and that gives us the chance to talk with them over issues of road safety.”

Although the car won’t be used operationally it is lined up to be on show at several more car show events in the next few weeks, including Newquay’s Run To The Sun, before it is given back to Lotus.

The car will be on display at the Mid Devon Cruise on Saturday 18 May at Tiverton High School from 4pm to 10pm.