Home Watch
VEHICLES EXCEEDING THE SPEED LIMIT – WHAT ARE WE DOING ABOUT IT?
We have had many reports of vehicles being driven over the legal speed limit and many questions of what are the Police and the Home Watch doing about it?
Well, the Home Watch asked for volunteers to assist and we had a very good response and now operate SpeedWatch checks at various sites around the village. Team members have been trained by the police and now work, with the authority of the police, on gathering evidence and reporting offending vehicles.
At present we have one team with other volunteers being trained in the near future. The teams operate in the St Leonards and St Ives area at pre-designated sites which have been carefully assessed in respect of H&S, not only for the team but for drivers as well. This ensures that the drivers and the team have a clear and unobstructed view of the road and immediate surrounds.
To date we have been very disappointed in the speeds that drivers are going in a 30 mph limit, some are reaching 40 mph plus and this is during the school leaving time. Please think how you would feel if you hit anyone, especially a child at those speeds. It would certainly mean that the person you hit would be very seriously injured or even fatally injured. Those driving at those speeds will be aware now or will be in a very few days.
REMEMBER – SLOW DOWN AND SAVE A LIFE
Various areas are assessed for vehicles exceeding the speed limit. If it is considered that there is a problem with the speed of vehicles then an area would be assessed for H&S to enable a site to be located in the area.
Hopefully drivers will see the ‘Hi Viz’ clothing the volunteers are wearing and it will be a reminder for them to check their speed. Our main purpose is to slow drivers down and hopefully educate them to check their speed regularly and keep within the limit.
Remember the stopping distances of cars:
Vans and larger vehicles have a greater stopping distance and your car can also have a greater stopping distance depending on the condition of the tyres, the road surface (wet, dry or icy) and if you have any heavy items in your car or boot.