Community Speed Watch

Community Speed Watch is a scheme to allow volunteers to monitor the speed of passing vehicles using a hand-held speed detection device.

The volunteers record the details of vehicles which are exceeding the speed limit by around 10%. These details are passed to the Police, who will issue a letter to the vehicle owner, advising them of the dangers of speeding, and reminding them of the law. If three letters are issued to the same vehicle owner, the Police carry out further investigation.

Only two to four volunteers are allowed to operate at one site at a time, and they must be in plain view of vehicle drivers at all times with high visibility jackets.

Community Speed Watch radar device

Disadvantages

  • Vehicle drivers can’t be fined if they are recorded exceeding the speed limit
  • Vehicle drivers may be aware the Community Speed Watch groups can’t issue fines, and will continue to exceed the speed limit
  • Requires willing community volunteers to offer their time

More information from the Police

You can get more information on Community Speed Watch on the Avon and Somerset Constabulary website.

Cost:   Nill

Advantages

  • Volunteer run, with no cost to the Partnership
  • Equipment and training provided by Safer Bristol and Avon and Somerset Police
  • Community engagement in speeding issues is a different way of changing driver behaviour

Effectiveness

This intervention doesn’t have any safety evidence available. Instead, likely outcomes are covered.

As Community Speed Watch volunteers are highly visible and make use of a speed detection device, it is usually clear to vehicle drivers their speed is being monitored. This may be enough deterrent for many motorists to slow down. Some motorists may mistake the volunteers for police officers.

The ‘community’ element of Community Speed Watch could have a more positive effect on some vehicle driver’s attitudes compared to engineering schemes.

Community Speed Watch may only reduce vehicle speeds when the volunteers are present at the road side. However, there should be a significant effect on vehicle drivers who receive letters as a result of exceeding the speed limit. Other drivers may continue to reduce their speeds at all times, as they might expect Speed Watch to return to the same place, or appear in another area of the city.

Reducing vehicle speeds increases safety because:

  • The vehicle has travelled less distance before the driver can react to a hazard
  • Breaking distance is reduced, so the vehicle can stop more quickly before a hazard
  • A slower moving vehicle will exert less energy on occupants as the vehicle rapidly changes speed on impact (crashes)
  • A slower moving vehicle will transfer less energy to a pedestrian in the event of a collision.

Restrictions

  • Volunteers must only operate at sites approved by the Police
  • Volunteers can only operate in daylight hours
Also Consider:
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 > >
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 > >
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.
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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 > >
Vehicle-activated Signs (VAS)
VASs are an electronic sign which only become visible when approaching vehicles are exceeding a certain speed.
Read more > >
Pedestrian Refuge Island
A refuge island is a raised section of pavement between two lanes of traffic moving in opposite directions. The Islands normally have yellow and white plastic bollards with a blue arrow to remind drivers to keep left.
Read more > >
DIY Streets
DIY Streets
DIY Streets is a concept developed by Sustrans which encourages communities to generate ideas for the improvement of their street. The concept aims to make the street less car dominated, and more community focussed.
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 > >
Change Lane Markings
Change lane markings
Peripheral hatching or removing the centre line can reduce the feeling of space motor vehicles have, which may help to reduce their speeds.
Read more > >