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Speeding!
Posted on 26/12/2007
P. Klein
A pioneering scheme where local volunteers log speeding drivers has been running in Leicestershire for a year.
County residents have already recorded more than 14,000 motorists speeding, 1,974 of which were in the Charnwood area.
‘Community Speed Watch’ (CSW) enables volunteers to work within the community to raise awareness of the dangers of speeding and to help manage the problem locally.
Volunteers are trained to use hand-held radar and laser guns so they can record the speed of passing vehicles. As an alternative to the guns, Vehicle Activated Signs (VAS) can be positioned at the roadside to warn motorists if they are travelling at an excessive speed.
Being recorded by one of the devices does not lead to prosecution – drivers receive a warning letter from the police instead – and the scheme helps towards underlining the community’s commitment to getting drivers to behave responsibly towards others and reducing their speed.
Woodhouse and Woodhouse Eaves were among nine villages around the county which were initially involved in the scheme and after proving so successful there is now a total of 32 communities taking part, including residents from the Cotes area of Charnwood.
Community Speed Watch is run by Leicestershire County Council and the Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland Road Safety Partnership with assistance from Leicestershire and aims to highlight the areas around the county that have problems with speeding.
Nicholas Rushton, Leicestershire County Council’s Deputy Leader with responsibilities for Highways, said: “Every community near a main road holds concerns over speeding. The Community Speed Watch scheme allows local people to make a difference, by recording selfish, irresponsible drivers.”
“A group of speed watchers standing by the side of the road in their high-visibility coats also serves as a deterrent to drivers who are going too fast; residents have noticed drivers slowing down as they drive through their villages.”
Community Speed Watch continues to grow, attracting more communities to pledge their support and stop speeding around Leicestershire.