South Australia Police has introduced a fleet of low-profile “shadow” patrol cars designed to make it harder for dangerous drivers to identify police vehicles before committing traffic offences.

The six new vehicles feature subdued, colour-matched police markings that are difficult to spot during daylight hours but become highly reflective when illuminated at night. While not fully unmarked, the cars are intended to blend into traffic more effectively than traditional highway patrol vehicles.

The new fleet will be deployed across metropolitan Adelaide and regional South Australia, where officers will target offences including speeding, drink and drug driving, distracted driving and other dangerous behaviours.

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According to SAPOL, 61 people had lost their lives on South Australian roads as of July 6 this year. Police say alcohol was identified as a contributing factor in 10 per cent of those fatalities, drug driving in 21 per cent, and dangerous road user behaviour in 36 per cent.

Police Commissioner Grant Stevens said the vehicles were intended to improve the force’s ability to detect high-risk driving before it resulted in serious crashes.

“These vehicles are about road safety and giving police another capability to detect dangerous driving before it results in tragedy,” he said.

Stevens said the presence of less conspicuous patrol vehicles could also encourage motorists to think twice before speeding, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, using a mobile phone or taking unnecessary risks behind the wheel.

The fleet comprises two Subaru Outbacks, two Toyota Klugers and two Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series SUVs. Each is equipped with the same enforcement technology as standard highway patrol vehicles, including speed detection devices, roadside alcohol and drug testing equipment, and collision response gear.

The shadow patrol cars will be used during routine policing duties as well as targeted enforcement campaigns, including Operation Safe Speed and Operation High Impact.

The move follows a growing trend among Australian police agencies to expand the use of less conspicuous enforcement vehicles, with authorities arguing they improve the detection of dangerous driving while complementing highly visible highway patrol operations.

SAPOL says the introduction of the new fleet reinforces a simple message to motorists: police may not always be obvious, but they are still watching the state’s roads.