Watch someone else’s speed

Are you fed up with cars careering past your house? Are you scared to cross the road? Are you frightened walking along the pavement with your children or grandchildren?

If so, it may be time to take some action. Why not join Rye’s local Community Speedwatch group?

For those that aren’t aware, Community Speedwatch is a national police initiative undertaken by local volunteers like you and means giving up whatever time you can spare, normally less than an hour a week to stand at the side of the road with another volunteer measuring vehicle speeds and noting down the registration, make and colour of those that exceed the speed limit. The Speedwatch coordinator then reports all noted vehicles to the police.

Once the police receive these details, they check the reported number plate with noted make and colour of the vehicle and, if recorded correctly, will send the registered keeper of the vehicle a letter warning them not to exceed the speed limit in future. If the data proves a driver is ignoring repeated warnings the police will visit them and, if contraventions continue, prosecute them. Data from the police are proving that this approach is succeeding in stopping motorists exceeding the speed limit, as those receiving a second warning letter have reduced from 25% in 2015 to approximately 6% in 2019.

All potential members of Speedwatch groups receive training before they can begin traffic monitoring. This training consists of, in the first instance, completing an online test followed by a personal training session either by the police or by the local Speedwatch coordinator.

So why not give it a go? You’ll be helping to make Rye a slightly safer place to live.

Anyone interested can contact me via Rye Town Council as I’m a town councillor.

Image Credits: Chris Hoggart .