Continuing to impress

The Sussex Police Dream Machines Lotus has been flying the county's flag in some rather far-off places of late! In fact the car has just returned from some missionary work in Llanelli in South Wales where it was the star attraction at a Road Safety Display targeting young drivers.

The car has also been in Brighton over the last couple of weeks on Marine Parade and, in partiulcar. at the Brighton Festival of Speed.

Last week it joined once again with the Fire Brigade for an event in Brighton, where a group of youths from the Whitehawk estate in Brighton were presented with certificates of achievemnt in relation to motorcycle projects. This weekend the car has been at the Shoreham Airshow.

Next week our very special Lotus Exige sets off for another out of county appearance. This one really is is rather special though as the Exige will be returning to the Lotus factory in Norfolk to show off it's livery.

But the car isn't just booked for special apprances - in fact, keep your eyes peeled this week because you never know where it will turn up! The car will be driving through many different locations in the county - so if you do see the car, make sure you say 'hello'!

More photos from on the road

Our Dream Machines Lotus continues its journey around Sussex helping to promote its road safety and 'Speed Kills' message.

Keep an eye out for the car at an event close to you.

Supercharged police car educates boy racers

The journey has begun for our Lotus Exige Sports and the car has already made its debut on the streets of East Sussex.

The new 'star' of the Roads Policing Unit in Hastings wouldn't look out of place on the set of the latest Batman movie.

The unit has been loaned a Lotus Exige sports car - fully decorated with the Sussex Police insignia and complete with flashing blue lights. Powered by a supercharged engine and capable of accelerating to sixty miles per hour in 4.1 seconds the car will, however, purely be used for demonstration purposes as it tours Sussex over a six month period.

The aim of the iniative is to use the vehicle as an educational tool to engage with 'boy racers' and hammer home the message that dangerous driving wrecks lives.

Sergeant Paul Masterton explains: "Many places in Sussex have a problem with youths speeding around, with their stereos blaring, making a general nuisance of themselves."We get calls about it every weekend, but when we turn up they usually speed off in the opposite direction as soon as they see us. It means we can never engage directly with these young people, and tell them about the dangers they're causing."When we pull up in this Lotus, however, it's a completely different story. In fact, it's usually them that are approaching us to have a look at the car!"

The interest young people show in the car provides officers with an ideal opportunity to explain the horrifying statistics of deaths on the road caused by inconsiderate driving.

Sergeant Masterson said: "A huge number of 17 to 25-year-olds die or cause other deaths on the roads each year, and even more suffer serious injury. Any initiative that can help reduce these numbers must be welcomed with open arms."

The Lotus car has been loaned to Sussex Police by 'Dream Machines' of Heathfield.

Following its debut in Hastings, the car moved on to the Eastbourne Motor Show over the weekend of 14th/15th July.

Where next for our 4 wheeled hero?

Follow its progress right here!