Does community speed watch scheme work

samsung_laptop

I've just read that a town I drive through daily is starting a community speed watch scheme but do they work. They say the watch is run by members of the community with the support of the police neighbourhood policing team. Recruited volunteers receive full training in using a speed monitoring device and is given a training pack with details of roads that have been risk assessed and a high viz jacket.There is no time limit, volunteers can stay on site as long as they like and leave when they see fit. When speeds have been recorded, all the results are sent back to the officers in charge and warning letters are issued to the registered owner of the vehicle if there is a second occurrence of speeding.

EdGasketTheSecond

It probably works while they are watching, but I doubt has any lasting impact. A lot of these schemes are in 20mph zones and most road users exceed that speed in my experience and are quite aggressive when I drive at 20 and won't speed up.

Deastons

samsung_laptop wrote: »

I've just read that a town I drive through daily is starting a community speed watch scheme but do they work. They say the watch is run by members of the community with the support of the police neighbourhood policing team. Recruited volunteers receive full training in using a speed monitoring device and is given a training pack with details of roads that have been risk assessed and a high viz jacket.There is no time limit, volunteers can stay on site as long as they like and leave when they see fit. When speeds have been recorded, all the results are sent back to the officers in charge and warning letters are issued to the registered owner of the vehicle if there is a second occurrence of speeding.

When you say "Do they work?" are you asking as a resident who is concerned about speeding drivers who is considering starting their own community speed watch, or as a driver who doesn't want to add a couple of minutes to their commute and wants to know if they should bother slowing down?

Because your post seems to simply describe the process.

photome

yes they work and you can get a fine and points...if that is what you are asking.

neilmcl

photome wrote: »

yes they work and you can get a fine and points...if that is what you are asking.

Only if the "neighbourhood policing team" are present.

Although this may change as it was reported recently that the Chief Constable of Lincolnshire police is considering giving powers to the volunteers themselves allowing them to issue fines.

George_Michael

photome wrote: »

yes they work and you can get a fine and points...if that is what you are asking.

Not yet you cant.
In many cases, the equipment issued to the speedwatch people isn't approved for enforcement purposes and even if it is, it is only the police or safety camera partnership officials (by way of manned points or camera locations) who can carry out speed checks for enforcement purposes.
https://www.communityspeedwatch.co.uk/FRONT-Faq.php?m=50

Does equipment need calibration on a regular basis?

The most commonly used equipment are based on radar technology and although approved for use in the UK/EU, they do not necessarily figure on the list of Home Office approved devices. Home Office approval refers to equipment used for Enforcement. Devices in this category mostly use laser technology and require an annual calibration certificate as proof of accuracy when offence records obtained with this equipment is presented in court as evidence.

For as long as Speedwatch remains an educational scheme, annual calibration is not required in most counties. Regular accuracy check of radar devices using accompanying tuning forks is recommended, however. When tested, an accuracy within +/- 1MPH is acceptable in most areas.

A check of the police force or speedwatch websites in any area where this scheme operates will show the same.
Here are a few examples from around the country.

http://www.staffssaferroads.co.uk/my-community/community-speed-watch

If it is identified that the vehicle has been caught speeding through any Speed Watch for the third time within 12 months, the background of the vehicle will be checked and information will be passed to the appropriate local policing team who will organise for the keeper to be visited and warned.

Areas where speeding issues remain may also be targeted for enforcement activity.

https://surrey.police.uk/policies-and-procedures/community-speed-watch-procedure-for-initiation-and-operation/

After a first recorded offence, the registered keeper of the vehicle will be sent a yellow warning letter by post.
After a second recorded offence, a further warning letter will be sent to the registered keeper. This can also be posted or, for maximum impact, hand delivered by the CRO, if there is the resource to do so.

A maximum of two letters in total will be sent to the same registered keeper. If CSW activity identifies a vehicle on a third occasion, where possible, the registered keeper will be visited by a CRO who will undertake a document check and give general driving/speeding advice. After this visit, the vehicle details should be circulated for possible targeted police intervention, with a view to prosecution, or other appropriate sanction.

http://speedwatch.info/community-speedwatch-faqs.html

Can motorists be prosecuted?

No these checks are about educating motorists.

https://www.kent.police.uk/advice/community-support/speedwatch/

The owners of vehicles who've been repeatedly seen speeding or have been recorded at more than 50% over the limit are sent a letter of advice.

Warwick_Hunt

neilmcl wrote: »

Only if the "neighbourhood policing team" are present.

Although this may change as it was reported recently that the Chief Constable of Lincolnshire police is considering giving powers to the volunteers themselves allowing them to issue fines.

But only if the neighbourhood policing team are present.

giraffe69

We have one in a local village. It would be dangerous to drive through it a 40+ miles per hour but the limit is, of course, 20 for no very good reason (it's 30 past the local primary school)
Some local busy bodies stand by the village hall and look disapproving whilst licking their pencils before recording your car reg. It is effective as it is easier for me to take an alternative route than face the pensioner's army.
The letter received for driving at more than 20 (no specific speed mentioned) wags a metaphorical finger, says that "on this one occasion" blah blah and make non specific threats about a second or subsequent "offence". Not sure how they would have the evidence to issue a speeding ticket based on a notebook and the dodgy eyes of the observers. I think it is a smoke and mirrors type of operation with no real teeth.

Johno100

It'll be effective if they are doing it in this weather for a few hours and it ends up killing some of the old farts off.:p

JJ_Egan

Small village we will slow the traffic down with our speed guns .
Then we will be free to speed as we always do in our village and speed in your village as well.

Jackmydad

I can see it's possibly a good thing in some places where things are really bad.
But then if things are that bad, why not a proper speed camera?
I wouldn't do it myself though. It reminds me of this too much somehow.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GEStsLJZhzo