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Speedwatch

Community Speed Watch Volunteers required for the Community Speed Watch Scheme in Cropwell Bishop. If interested contact the Parish Clerk.

What is a " Community Speed Watch"?
Community Speed Watch (CSW) put simply, speed monitoring is carried out by trained volunteers from the community, with follow-up work on education and enforcement by the Police. Initially letters are sent to registered keepers of offending vehicles asking for their assistance in keeping speeds down in the community, with persistent offenders details being passed to the Police for targeted enforcement.

Isn't this a Police Job?
D Division of Nottinghamshire Police fully support the drive to achieve casualty reduction targets, and include "reducing the number of people killed and seriously injured on the road" as part of their Policing Plan. The Primary Care Trust, Nottinghamshire Fire & Rescue Service and the Rushcliffe Local Strategic Partnership also have this objective. With ever greater demand it is simply not possible for the Police to carry out speed enforcement checks in every community that wants them on a regular basis. Indeed, having to prioritise resources means that some communities that have a speeding problem without a corresponding collision record may be unlikely to see meaningful levels of enforcement. This is where working together can help.

Does it work?
Data collected from recent trials schemes show a reduction in overall average speeds, and a significant reduction in the proportion of drivers travelling well over the limit.

Is it dangerous, and are we covered by insurance?
Experience has shown that the vast majority of drivers either support, or are neutral to, volunteer speed monitors. It is true some drivers wave or gesture in a less supportive manner, but actual confrontation has been extremely rare, and the training covers how to deal with such situations. Cropwell Bishop Parish Council will ensure that all volunteers are provided with insurance cover for public liability. Risk assessments of sites is aimed at making your presence at the roadside as safe as possible, and is mostly common sense. The Safety Code of Conduct also gives some guidance in this area.

Still Interested?
As you may anticipate, many drivers slow down on seeing volunteers in high-visibility jackets at the roadside, and the numbers of drivers recorded may not be as high as you think it will be. This is a good thing, as the aim is to encourage people to slow down without having to involve any further action. Most of time most drivers co-operate, and the trial has shown that volunteers operate with little or no risk to themselves or others. It would be wrong, however, not to insist that new schemes adhere to some basic guidelines and safety practices.

 Community Speed Watch - Summary of Guidelines

There should be a minimum of six volunteers in the scheme, each willing to contribute a minimum of one hour per week.
Volunteers must be over 18 years of age.

Volunteers who not do not wish to be involved in speed monitoring can help with administrative support, and each scheme must include at least two people in this category. Some volunteers may, of course, be able to do both.

The scheme is to have a designated co-ordinator and deputy, responsible for the equipment and contact with the police.

The locations for monitoring are chosen by the community, based on their experience and knowledge of the area. Supporting data may be available from the Police.

All sites must be within 30mph or 40mph limits.

Registration numbers of vehicles exceeding the speed limit must be recorded in full by volunteers - partial numbers will not be accepted. The number must be verified as accurate by both volunteers (minimum two on site), or not recorded at all.
 
The aim is to encourage drivers to choose to drive at or below the speed limit. For practical purposes recording of vehicle details should be restricted to those travelling at 35mph or more in a 30 limit, or 46 mph or more in a 40 limit, in accordance with current Police (ACPO) guidelines.

Offending drivers vehicle details are recorded on a timed, dated and signed Community Speed Watch Activity Log Sheet. Completed sheets are forwarded to the Police Liaison person, who will arrange for letters to be sent to registered keepers. Letters will be sent in accordance with the availability of administrative support. D Division of the Nottinghamshire Police will endeavour to contact as many offending drivers as possible.

 A maximum of two letters will be sent to the same registered keeper. After this, the vehicle details may be circulated for targeted Police intervention with a view to prosecution.