Community Speedwatch launched in Guildford and Waverley
Submitted: 07/02/2006 15:53:05
Community Speedwatch has been formally launched in Waverley and Guildford as part of the Surrey Police Surrey Road Standards initiative to tackle anti-social behaviour on the county’s roads.
The Speedwatch schemes, run locally by volunteers supported by Surrey Police, aim to re-educate drivers about the dangers of speeding, as well as address residents’ concerns about inappropriate speed, improve quality of life for local communities and reduce traffic noise and pollution.
Volunteers have already been recruited and the two areas, Jacobs Well in Guildford and Shamley Green in Waverley, have been selected by local communities in consultation with Surrey Police.
Motorists who exceed the speed limit on rural and urban roads are often unaware of the impact their actions have on communities or other road users or of the dangers they are exposing themselves to. Community Speedwatch, as well as reminding car drivers and motorcyclists to watch their speed and keep to the speed limit, enables local people to take an active role in making their communities safer.
By working with the police and local authorities, residents identify areas of concern and are given full support in setting up and managing a Community Speedwatch scheme in their neighbourhood. At least six volunteers, who contribute a minimum of an hour a week, are required to set up a Speedwatch scheme. All volunteers are provided with specific training on how to use the equipment, safe working procedures for using the speed detection equipment, how to monitor the speed of vehicles safely and advice on dealing with enquiries from other road users.
The volunteers work in pairs at an identified location selected by local communities in consultation with Surrey Police, provided they are within 30 mph and 40 mph limits. They record speeds of motorists in a log and offenders travelling at excess speeds will be identified from the data provided and sent a ‘yellow’ letter of advice which will also ask for their co-operation in the future.
A maximum of two warning letters, along with safety information, will be sent to offenders and if they are caught speeding again, they will be targeted for enforcement by police, where appropriate. The aim, however, is for the presence of the Speedwatch volunteers out on the streets to make drivers think twice about their driving habits and slow down.
West Surrey Superintendent Kul Verma said: “We have already identified through police and partners that speeding is a major concern in many communities. Community Speedwatch aims to re-educate drivers about the dangers of speeding to make our roads safer. The scheme is an excellent example of the police and the community working together, and we will continue to work closely with local people to ensure that their concerns form the cornerstone of our neighbourhood policing.”
If you are interested in setting up a scheme in your neighbourhood contact Waverley Casualty Reduction Officer, PC Andy Crane via e-mail at 1966@surrey.pnn.police.uk, telephone 0845 125 2222, or Guildford Casualty Reduction Officer PC Dave Thomas via email at 656@surrey.pnn.police.uk, telephone 0845 125 2222, to arrange delivery of briefing pack.
For further information please contact the Divisional Press and Publicity Officer for West Surrey
E-mail: 9452@surrey.pnn.police.uk
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