On some roads, a high proportion of vehicles consistently exceed the speed limit. Vehicles travelling too fast introduces extra danger on the road, and this makes the environment less pleasant for other road users, especially pedestrians and cyclists. It is also less pleasant for people living nearby.
Important points
Softer measures, then harder measures
Somerset County Council usually tries softer measures first. Warning signs are a typical softer measure, and they alert drivers to potential hazards in the road ahead - many drivers will slow down when they are made aware of a hazard. If softer measures don't work, harder measures can be considered.
Speeding is a criminal offence
It is illegal to exceed the speed limit on a public road. The Police are responsible for enforcing the speed limit, and penalising motorists if necessary. In reality this is difficult to achieve, because the Police have limited resources, and there are many miles of road within Somerset.
Firstly, consider these measures
Signs and Lines
Village Gateway (signs and lines)
Village gateways with signs and lines aim to reduce the speed of vehicle traffic through villages with subtle measures.
Read more > >
Road Markings
Road Markings can help to change the behaviour of car drivers - driving more slowly and more safely.
Read more > >
Warning signs
Warning signs prepare drivers for hazards in the road ahead. They are especially useful where the hazard is not easily visible.
Read more > >
Chevrons
Chevrons highlight road bends to drivers, who should slow down and take extra care on the bend.
Read more > >
Then, consider these measures
Flashing signs & CSW
Community Speed Watch (CSW)
Community Speed Watch is a scheme to allow volunteers to monitor the speed of passing vehicles using a hand-held speed detection device.
Read more > >
Speed Indicator Devices (SIDs)
SIDs can be moved around different locations on a rolling basis. SIDs light up to remind drivers of the speed limit when they detect a vehicle exceeding a certain speed.
Read more > >
20 MPH when lights show
20 MPH when lights show signs are commonly used outside schools, and the flashing lights are activated at school opening and closing times.
Read more > >
Vehicle-activated Signs (VAS)
VASs are an electronic sign which only become visible when approaching vehicles are exceeding a certain speed.
Read more > >
Finally, look into these measures
Physical features - horizontal
Road Narrowing
Road narrowing simply reduces the width of the road. This could be achieved in a number of ways, however the technique normally used in Bristol involves extending the curb at a junction entrance with a bollard on each side.
Read more > >
Chicanes
Single lane chicanes require one direction of traffic to give way to oncoming vehicles. The chicane normally consists of a raised curb and bollard in one half of the road, with a sign to explain the traffic priority.
Read more > >
Physical features - vertical
Speed Cushions
A speed cushion is a short, raised, rounded device, normally in the centre of a road lane. Speed cushions are designed to be slightly wider than a car, so car drivers need to slow down and drive over the centre of the speed cushion to reduce discomfort.
Read more > >
Speed Humps
Speed humps have a short rounded top which is typically 75mm high. The ramps either side are painted with white arrows to make them more obvious to vehicle drivers.
Read more > >
Speed Table
Speed tables are a raised section of road, with a ramp on both sides. The ramps are painted with white arrows to make them more obvious to vehicle drivers.
Read more > >
Village Gateway (physical measures)
Village Gateways with physical measures aim to reduce the speed of vehicle traffic through villages by building traffic calming treatments in the road.
Read more > >
Speed Limits & Speed Cameras
Speed Limits
Speed limits require drivers not to exceed the stated speed by law.
Read more > >
Speed Cameras
Speed cameras photograph vehicles which are travelling over a certain speed. This is usually around 10% over the speed limit. Speed cameras use a radar device to detect the speed of passing vehicles.
