Community Speed Watch

Making our roads safer

The Community Speed Watch scheme was launched in Surrey Heath in June 2006 to re-educate drivers about the dangers of speeding, and address residents' concerns about cars speeding through their neighbourhoods. Speed Watches are run by volunteers from the community, with support from West Surrey Police and the Safer Surrey Heath Partnership.

At least six volunteers, who contribute a minimum of one hour a week, are required to set up a Speed Watch scheme. All volunteers are given training on how to use the speed detection equipment and safe working procedures, how to monitor the speed of vehicles safely and how to deal with enquiries from other road users. The volunteers work in pairs at an identified location selected by local communities in consultation with the police, provided they are within 30mph and 40mph limits. They record speeds of motorists in a log and offenders travelling at excess speeds will be identified from the data provided, and sent a 'yellow' letter of advice.

A maximum of two warning letters, along with safety information, will be sent to offenders and if they are caught speeding again they will be targeted for enforcement by police, where appropriate. The aim, however, is for the presence of the Speed Watch volunteers out on the streets to make drivers think twice about their driving habits and slow down.

There are currently eight schemes operating in Surrey Heath. Five of these are in Windlesham - on Thorndown Lane, Broadway Road, Woodlands Lane, Chertsey Road and School Road. There is one scheme in Camberley, on Crawley Ridge, one on Coleford Bridge Road in Mytchett plus a new one on Whitmoor Road in Bagshot. On average, 150 yellow warning letters are sent to drivers every week. This compares with some 500 to 600 per week when the scheme started.

Casualty Reduction Officer, PC Mark Barry, who set up the Surrey Heath scheme, commented: "Community Speed Watch is an integral part of our long-term strategy to reduce the number of those killed or seriously injured on the borough's roads by 40 per cent between 1997 and 2010. It is an excellent example of the police, the community and our partners working together to target local concerns and make our roads safer."

If you are interested in setting up a scheme in your neighbourhood, contact PC Mark Barry on 01483 631787 or email 1209@surrey.pnn.police.uk