how to slow speeding traffic?

Debt_Free_Chick

It seems to me that there may be two separate issues here.

Firstly, whether the speed restriction is adequate. I assume this is a 30 mph limit?

Secondly, whether or not drivers are observing the limit. I suspect they're not.

My own experience (as a former Parish Clerk in a rural area) is that it's practically impossible to enforce speed limits. AND the culprits are usual local residents and others who use the road regularly. They "know the layout" and drive at a speed they find is comfortable, irrespective of the limit. We have a long, straight stretch of road with a 30 mph limit. However, the layout is such that - with such good visibility and no obvious obstructions - it "feels" as though one could easily drive at a much faster speed. And many do - at speeds of 50 mph and possibly more!

Changing behaviour is very difficult, especially when the layout gives the impression that greater speeds are not only possible, but perceivably "safe".

I think your only option is a "Local Residents' Campaign", perhaps with support from the local PCSO. He/She can deploy the SID (Speed Indicator Device) and issue a warning to those drivers caught exceeding the speed limit. A repeated offence would lead to a Fixed Penalty notice. But you will need to campaign hard to get this.

A final thought ... whilst children might find the speed intimidating, is there a real threat to their safety? By this, I mean, is there a need to cross the road and if so, is there not a crossing (Zebra or Pelican)? Children need to be aware of traffic and be taught to exercise safety crossing the road, irrespective of the speed limit. As an example, there are many roads with a national speed limit and no crossing points at all - hence drivers are warned of the risk of "Pedestrians Crossing".

Regards

ItMightBeUsefulOneDay

dboswell wrote: »

Can people suggest low cost but effective ways to calm/slow traffic - maybe things they have done or seen?

A word of caution here. A local road to me had a similar problem and the local residents campaigned for speed bumps. They got them.

Traffic still travels at the same speed but with 10 times the noise (think WUMPH, WUMPH as each car bounces over the raised tarmac). For some, this means they can't sleep with their windows open because at 3am someone will drive their van / lorry down the road with even more WUUUUUUMPH, BANG, CLATTER, CRUNCH, WHUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUMPH, SMASH, CLATTER, BANG.

poppysarah

Cardboard cut outs of kids on string pulley systems randomly pulled out in front of cars...
?

Madmel

It's not the right time of year for this, being summer holidays, but I think involving your local primary school and/or nursery might be the way forward.

My own children did this in the Infants when they walked round the roads outside the school looking at the road markings and signs and learning their meaning. Then they had to make posters to remind people not to speed. Finally they wrote letters to the parish council to ask for a zebra crossing or school crossing patrol person. These were all put into a scrap book and given to the parish councillor and the local paper was invited along. They put on their little hi-visibility jackets and walked along the road with their posters, which made a lovely photo in the paper.

The other effect of this was that parents driving their children to school had reminders every day for months from the back of the car not to speed or park on the zig-zags. You never know, it might shame people into driving more sensibly as well as teaching the local children a life lesson.

ILW

poppysarah wrote: »

Cardboard cut outs of kids on string pulley systems randomly pulled out in front of cars...
?

Sounds fun, sort of target practice. Need a decent scoring system though.

GDB2222

ILW wrote: »

Sounds fun, sort of target practice. Need a decent scoring system though.

Would you get extra points if the car driver skids out of control and slams into your neighbour's car? Would you lose points if he slams into yours? And what about a Guranga? Endless joy!

princeofpounds

Yes speed bumps can be a mixed blessing. They are very noisy if the houses are close to the road. Guys in vans they don't own will charge over them all the same.

I'd recommend your councillor as a starting point. If you can write letters to them (and maybe MP too) pointing out there is a danger to children (if there really is) then they will pay attention as if a child gets hurt it will look bad if they ignored it.

hendryclan

I have the same problem. My terraced cottage is only 3ft from the road which is a straight run. I park my car outside the house as do the neighbours. This then slows them down as they have to wait for the other traffic coming the other way. You still get the usual idiot boy racers and even the local village idiots thinking they can go 20 miles over the speed limit.

We have spoken to the local council but they are as useful as a chocolate fireguard. If it was outside their house, then I am sure the problem would be solved immediately!

Good luck with your endeavours

Katie-Kat-Kins

Children should find traffic intimidating, it keeps them off the road and on the pavement where they are supposed to be. When they don't find traffic intimidating that is when accidents happen.

I live just off a busy A road, and traffic comes up our lane very quickly, but there are less accidents than there were when I lived on a sleepy cul-de-sac!!!

Anyway to your problem, you need to be sure they are actually breaking the speed limit before you do anything, 30mph can look fast to a pedestrian but unless you are near a school you stand very little chance of getting a speed limit lower than that. If they are genuinely speeding you could campaign for traffic calming measures but many people end up disappointed by them either they don't do the job or they cause worse problems. Personally I'd try to improve pedestrian safety with crossings or central reservations and get some warnings signs "watch your speed" type ones up and then work on educating the local children.

Or you could buy a hi-viz coat and stand on the roadside pointing a hairdryer at traffic and see what happens.

Or "borrow" a cut out policeman from your local morrisons....

prudryden

Step 1: Design a petition signed by residents (don't need many).
Step 2: Send it to the Mayor
Step 3: Present the petition yourself at the full council meeting - You usually get three minutes to speak.
Step 4: Have everyone who has an interest to call, send emails daily complaining.
Step 5: The council finally agrees to do a Traffic Survey for speed and volume at peak times over a two week period.
Step 6: The council based on the results does a consultation of a defined area (not just your road). This consultation paper will list various options, perhaps even closing the road to through traffic.
Step 7: You design leaflets explaining the problem and all the reasons why the traffic is affecting safety etc. and hand deliver to all the home in the consultation area asking for their vote on the consultation paper.
Step 8: You wait.