Volunteers across Tandridge have joined together with local Safer Neighbourhood officers to launch four new Community Speedwatch schemes aimed at tackling speeding on local roads.
Speeding is always a top priority for concerned residents and Community Speedwatch has proved so successful in other areas four new schemes have recently been established in Smallfield, Tatsfield, Tandridge village and Caterham-on-the-Hill.
Local officers listened to the concerns raised by residents at panel meetings and while out on patrol and managed to encourage residents to get involved with the Community Speedwatch initiative.
The scheme is designed to give people chance to take an active role in making their communities safer. The volunteers are issued high-visibility jackets and are fully trained by police officers on how to use the speed detection equipment and to monitor the speed of vehicles.
Casualty Reduction officer PC Moira Cocks said: ”Community Speedwatch is a great scheme which gives local residents and businesses a chance to take charge of their local roads. The scheme is all about educating drivers around the dangers of speeding however we will not shy away from taking action against repeat offenders. Getting tough on speeding motorists is a priority for Surrey Police and I know it is a big concern for the local community.”
Volunteers, who work in pairs and wear the safety high visibility jackets, will monitor the speed of vehicles at specific locations. A record of any offending vehicles will be made of those drivers that exceed the speed limit and a ‘yellow’ letter of advice which will also ask for their co-operation in the future along with safety information will be sent to the offender. A maximum of two warning letters, will be sent to the same offender and if they are caught speeding again they will be targeted for enforcement by police, where appropriate.
The new schemes were established under the Drive Smart campaign which was launched in September 2009. Dr Andrew Povey, the elected Leader of Surrey County Council, pledged £1million to set up the campaign after the issue was regularly identified as a concern by residents to local councillors. The campaign is targeted at a range of driving behaviours that negatively affect the lives of other road users or local residents. These include tailgating, bad or inconsiderate parking, using a handheld mobile phone at the wheel, speeding, drink and drug driving, not wearing a seatbelt and generally thoughtless or reckless driving.
For any further information on the Community Speedwatch programme or if you would like to register to become a volunteer, please contact PC Moira Cocks at Surrey Police on 0845 125 2222.
