The Department of Public Safety's mobile photo radar vans are now sharing state roads with motorists in Arizona. Two went into operation Thursday to catch speeders and DPS Director Roger Vanderpool hopes to deploy 20 eventually, not just on freeways but also on two-lane state highways.

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The state's first two mobile photo-radar vans hit the pavement Thursday and started issuing tickets for the Department of Public Safety. Eventually the DPS hopes to have 20 of the vans scattered around Arizona. Here's what you'll want to know about them:

Where will they be?

Parked along freeways and two-lane roads controlled by the state. They'll move around for the element of surprise.

Will drivers have any warning where the vans are?

The DPS will erect large, portable, fluorescent-orange signs at least 100 yards ahead of the unit, informing oncoming traffic that a photo radar van is there.

"If you're not paying attention and you miss the signs, smile," said DPS Director Roger Vanderpool, as you'll be getting a picture of yourself in the mail, along with the ticket.

Can you speed at all without getting a ticket?

The cameras will be programmed to take pictures and issue citations any time a vehicle is traveling at least 11 miles per hour over the speed limit.

Drivers whose speed is six miles over the limit also will have their pictures taken. But they will just get warnings, DPS Commander Tom Woodward said, and they won't get copies of the photos — because they might see those as "souvenirs."

Is this just a financial windfall for the DPS?

Vanderpool insisted the aim is not to generate revenues — he said the DPS gets just a small percentage of every fine — or even to penalize motorists.

"It's aimed at getting people to slow down and pay attention," he said.

Are there any loopholes?

Foreign motorists driving vehicles from their own countries can ignore the vans with impunity. Foreign governments do not share license plate information with DPS, so there's simply no place to send the citation, DPS acknowledged.

Vehicle owners who have purchased a license plate cover designed to thwart photo radar cameras may also get away without being cited — for now.

The DPS will experiment with infrared technology to "see" through many plate covers.

— Compiled by Howard Fischer, Capitol Media Services

For more stories involving police, visit azstarnet.com/crime