IA Community Speedwatch Group Update

25/10/2024 in Previous Posts

Getting the Speedwatch Started

Over the last year the parish council has been trying to set up a Community Speedwatch Group. However the group is not currently large enough & still needs a co- ordinator. As Co-Ordinator the person will need to be able to complete any administration required such as drawing up a shift rota for volunteers or liaising with the police. Currently there are a small number of volunteers who have completed the initial ‘on line’ training but more are required the group to become viable.

The main aim of the group is to reduce the speed of vehicles at certain points within the parish.Community Speedwatch. Community Speedwatch is a national initiative where participants are trained to record details of speeding vehicles using approved detection devices with support from local police. Working in pairs or small groups the speed watch volunteers record the speed of vehicles from agreed location this data can then be used to warn motorists when the speed limit has been exceeded.

When a vehicle is recorded travelling above the legal speed limit a letter is sent to the registered owner. This letter explains why speeding is considered dangerous & the consequences of continuing to exceed the speed limits. When a vehicle is recorded on more than one occasion the local police will be informed & criminal prosecution may follow In these circumstances the police can begin more formal procedures which could lead to criminal prosecution follow based on the evidence collected.