en.Wedoany.com Reported - The South Australia Police has introduced a fleet of "shadow patrol cars" that sit between traditional marked patrol vehicles and fully unmarked police cars, designed to catch drivers who only obey traffic laws when they believe law enforcement is watching.

Drawing on experience from the United States, the South Australia Police has added these low-profile vehicles.

Commissioner Grant Stevens acknowledged borrowing the concept from American counterparts during a briefing, adding that U.S. experience shows low-profile wraps can effectively disrupt evasion maneuvers and deter habitual speeders.

The pilot project operates six vehicles as a proof of concept, including two Subaru Outbacks, two Toyota Klugers (sold as the Highlander in the U.S.), and two Land Cruiser 300 Series. Each vehicle is fitted with color-matched vinyl decals that blend in with the body under bright daylight. At night, when light hits the reflective coating, the entire police wrap illuminates, revealing the vehicle's true nature. These models eliminate the conventional roof light bar, concealing small flashing lights in the grille and behind glass.

Like regular patrol cars, these covert vehicles are equipped with duty gear, including speed detection systems, mobile alcohol and drug testing kits, and collision investigation equipment.

The shadow fleet is immediately on the road, with six vehicles deployed on regional highways and congested urban areas. Authorities hope the new cars will help combat drink driving, drug-impaired driving, and aggressive road behavior, which are believed to account for 10%, 21%, and 36% respectively of the state's 61 road fatalities this year.