World’s fastest police car to be used by Avon and Somerset

I'm a big fan of Top Gear and loved watching the Ariel Atom seal the quickest lap around their test track – it flew around!

Now it looks like I'll get to see one of these flying machines in action when I'm at our holiday parks in Somerset this summer! Avon and Somerset Police have transformed one into the world's fastest police car for a campaign aiming to bring greater road safety to motorists.

Image Credit: brizzle born and bred Flickr

The force have borrowed the vehicle, which looks more like an F1 car to me, from local manufacturer Ariel to help promote 'Safe Rider' – a campaign targeting speeding motorcyclists.

Andy Parsons, a Roads Policing Sergeant, who is involved in the campaign said: “I am really excited that Ariel has joined with us to bring Project SAFER RIDER to fruition, and I hope that the use of the Ariel PL1 with have a positive impact to promote Road Safety.

“To be safe, rider and machine need to work in harmony. When this happens it feels immediately right. When it doesn't, things go wrong. Too many injuries and deaths are the result of rider error.”

The Atom can do 0-60mph in less than 2.5 seconds and tops the clock at a ridiculous 155mph, making it quicker than the Italian police's Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4 Polizia!

Although the eye-catching car could mix it with high powered motorbikes, it won't be used in operational duties near our Somerset caravan parks. But if you're staying at Sandy Glade Holiday Park you might catch a glimpse of it at promotional events in the region.