Community Speed Watch coming to your area?

Posted on May 15, 2014

Are speeding motorists an issue in your neighbourhood? Do you want to help do something about it?

More volunteers are currently being sought for the Community Speed Watch scheme which already operates in Bedford and Central Bedfordshire and is now coming to Luton too.

Supported by the Bedfordshire and Luton Casualty Partnership, Community Speed Watch enables volunteers to work within their communities to raise awareness of the dangers of speeding and help control the problem locally.

People who register undertake training run by Bedfordshire Police covering the use of speed indicator devices and radar guns, conflict resolution and an option for basic first aid.

Equipment is delivered by local policing teams, and  volunteers then run sessions noting the date, time, colour, make, model and registration number of any vehicle exceeding the speed limit.

Registered keepers of offending vehicles are written to by the police, informing them that they were detected exceeding the speed limit and giving the details.

Persistent speeders receive a second letter, and if there is a third occasion motorists can expect further action to be taken by police.

Schemes can be set up in any ward, village or parish governed by a 30mph speed limit and where a group of at least three trained volunteers exists.

Chief Inspector Neill Waring from Bedfordshire Police said: "Excessive speed on the roads is one of the most common issues raised by residents across Luton, Bedford and Central Bedfordshire, and has an impact not only on road safety but on the quality of life of those that endure it.

"Community Speed Watch seeks to promote safer driving in our local communities by educating rather than prosecuting individuals. Data collected is passed to Bedfordshire Police who may undertake further speed checks and result in drivers being prosecuted."

Volunteers from Community Speed Watch will be undertaking roadside checks during week commencing 19 May in Luton, Dunstable, Leighton Buzzard and Bedford.