A new form of neighbourhood watch is underway in Dorset for residents concerned about speeding vehicles.
Community Speed Watch (CSW) gives local communities the opportunity to get actively involved in road safety. See video
Speed Watch can be set up in villages, towns or urban areas to discourage drivers and motorcyclists from speeding. Dorset Police Safer Neighbourhood Team (SNT) liaison officers can assist groups in setting up by providing practical advice and support.
Like other watch schemes, Community Speed Watch groups are set up and run by volunteers – there are currently 12 groups in Dorset.
Community Speed Watch groups use hand held devices to record and monitor details of motorists seen speeding and can also note drivers using a mobile phone or not wearing seat belts. The police then send warning letters to these motorists.
Acting Assistant Chief Constable Martin Hiles said: “Through our neighbourhood Partners and Communities Together (PACT) panels we have seen a real appetite from communities to get involved in road safety in their areas. Community Speed Watch is a great opportunity to harness this support and turn it into positive action.
“Road safety remains a Force priority and one of our aims, particularly through our hugely successful ‘no excuse’ campaign, has been to educate the public and change driver behaviour and Community Speed Watch very much supports that.
“As well as drivers receiving a warning letter about their driving behaviour, the information provided to us by groups enables our traffic officers, safer neighbourhood teams and Dorset Road Safe to identify problem areas and repeat speeders against whom we will take further action if necessary.
“It also supports the continued work of the Dorset Road Safe partnership by focusing on the ‘fatal four’ elements in road traffic collisions – speeding, driver distractions, not wearing a seat belt and drink driving.
“We are very grateful for the support of our communities and look forward to the continued development of Community Speed Watch in Dorset.”
