Featured Image Credit: Kennedy News and Media
Topics: UK News
Claire Reid
A bloke parked up his car and opened up the boot to purposefully block a speed van’s view while on patrol on one of ‘Britain's most dangerous roads'. You can see the clip here:
The video of the man divided opinion online, with some hailing him a ‘hero’ while others have slated him for his actions.
Shortly after the clip went viral, a man called Ed Evans took responsibility for it and claimed he was ‘just doing his bit’.
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In the video the man can be seen sitting next to a woman in the boot of the car, which is open and blocking the van’s view on the A38 in Rooks Bridge, Somerset.
The A38 has been dubbed one of 'Britain's most dangerous roads' after the Department for Transport revealed that between 2011-2016 it hosted more accidents than any other A-road, 8,698, resulting in 590 serious injuries and 137 deaths.
Lauren Jayne, from Mendips, Somerset, who filmed the clip said: "My boyfriend was driving down the A38 and we just saw the boot up in front of the van. My phone was already out for music so I recorded it on Snapchat.
"I just found it funny really. I know there’s comments on the video about a young girl being killed on the same road but I think people are getting it confused with the A370.
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"It’s just a bit of light humour, and if it was really a problem the bloke in the van would have said something.
"We even turned back and drove past again. The first video was rubbish because a lorry went past."
After it was shared on Facebook, opinions were firmly split with one motorist praising Evans saying he was 'providing a community service' and added 'there should be more people like you'.
While another lamented the fact Evans hadn’t arrived sooner as they had already been given a ticket.
However, others were less than impressed.
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One person said: “Don't drive like a t*t and speed cameras won't be an issue.”
And someone else asked Evans to consider the families of those who had died on the road.
Avon and Somerset Police said the speed camera operator was on their lunch break at the time, but that Evans would have been committing an offence if the camera had been operational.
An Avon and Somerset spokesperson said: "Speed is a factor in many death and serious injury collisions and speed limits are in place to protect all road users.
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"Speeding is frequently raised as a policing priority by our communities and we deploy our safety cameras at locations where the community has asked us to take enforcement action.
"We are open about this action, with our safety camera sites listed on our website. The best way to avoid a fine and points on your licence is not to put others at risk by breaking the speed limit.
"At the time of this footage, the speed camera operator was taking a break. Had they been prevented from using the camera, the person responsible could have faced a charge of obstructing them in the course of their duty.
“As it was, we understand that a local resident spoke to them to explain that the community had asked for speed enforcement."