How can I get drivers to slow down?

sand_hun

Hi, this isn't related to money saving in any way but I was wondering if anyone here has tips in terms of how I might be able to get motorists in my area to slow down and adhere to the 30mph speed limit. It's a residential area on a fairly busy main road between two cities. It was nice and peaceful during lockdown - mainly a steady stream of cyclists going past but now it's almost back to normal - people tearing along in cars at 45mph+. Speeding is even worse in the evenings when the road gets less busy. I wrote to my MP to highlight this issue and he responded saying highways and police are aware of the problem and that they have previously carried out enforcement in the area - however, I've never witnessed anything of the kind in all the years I've lived here. He also stated that back in 2013 all the fixed traffic violation cameras in the region were switched off due to the age and obsolescence of the equipment.

I know the narrowing of lanes is an effective method of slowing down motorised traffic but obviously I don't have the ability to implement anything along those lines. Any other suggestions on how residents can act against speeding?

burner03

Have you tried leaving nails/boulders in the road as a sort of death trap for the unwary?

Jonesya

If you can get a few people together, see if you could set up a Community Speedwatch group

AdrianC

Jonesya said:

If you can get a few people together, see if you could set up a Community Speedwatch group

This is your only practical alternative, apart from lobbying TPTB - and they've got bigger fish to fry, if there's not been any actual incidents there.

Which force's area are you in?

bigadaj

If you have a garden that front's onto the road then maybe you could put out a large yellow box for bird feeding, might have an effect.

tacpot12

Buy your own (calibrated) speed camera and privately prosecute individuals who are speeding. It is likely that the press interest in such a novel approach will force the authorities to undertake more enforcement activity, and the publicity will also deter drivers from speeding. You might also write to the Chairman of the local Bench of Magistrates to advise them that you intend you bring 30-40 private prosecutions per month, and ask them whether they can cope with this? Their response might make an interesting news article. You need to suggest that you have the financial resources to actually bring these prosecutions. Finding a wealth local individual who shares your concern might help with fund raising or the appearance of being well funded. Ask a local solicitor if they will give you some advice on the standards of evidence needed for motoring prosecutions as pro bono work.  

Alfrescodave

tacpot12 said:

Buy your own (calibrated) speed camera and privately prosecute individuals who are speeding. It is likely that the press interest in such a novel approach will force the authorities to undertake more enforcement activity, and the publicity will also deter drivers from speeding. You might also write to the Chairman of the local Bench of Magistrates to advise them that you intend you bring 30-40 private prosecutions per month, and ask them whether they can cope with this? Their response might make an interesting news article. You need to suggest that you have the financial resources to actually bring these prosecutions. Finding a wealth local individual who shares your concern might help with fund raising or the appearance of being well funded. Ask a local solicitor if they will give you some advice on the standards of evidence needed for motoring prosecutions as pro bono work.  

An excellent suggestion but needs to be meticulously applied by using appropriate equipment, data logging and much more. Costs will be high but I think you can hire suitable equipment. Certainly a local group activity not an individual one

fred246

30-40 a month? One car per day? I am sure you would catch more than that. The motorists would say you had made your own cash machine. They don't like abiding by the laws of the road. Speed limits? They're all wrong. I'll make my own limit up as I go along.

clive0510

there was an incident a few years ago , with boy racers tearing around a village past the village pub at high speed. so one of the locals who was into theatre, dressed up in a fake police uniform with a home made speed gun. he waited in the pub garden and when he heard a car coming he would pounce. the police found out about it. he got a police caution for his trouble.

onlyfoolsandparking

clive0510 said:

there was an incident a few years ago , with boy racers tearing around a village past the village pub at high speed. so one of the locals who was into theatre, dressed up in a fake police uniform with a home made speed gun. he waited in the pub garden and when he heard a car coming he would pounce. the police found out about it. he got a police caution for his trouble.

No, he got a police caution for impersonating a police officer which is illegal.

MobileSaver

clive0510 said:

one of the locals who was into theatre, dressed up in a fake police uniform ... he got a police caution for his trouble.

To be fair, impersonating a police officer was never going to end well!

For the OP, I am surprised that no-one makes and sells realistic looking speed camera boxes as I am sure many people have considered siting one of their own to encourage speeders to slow down. (I am aware of inflatable ones but they don't look that authentic.)