Police and Crime Commissioner for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, Darryl Preston has pledged a special funding boost to tackle speeding in local communities.
In the space of two weeks he has agreed funding to replace equipment used by local Community Speedwatch Scheme volunteers and for dedicated marked vans so the special constabulary can join the education campaign. Initially end of life police vans will be used; these will be replaced later in the year with three new vans to provide volunteer support across the whole county.
“Many people who live and work in the county tell me that they are concerned about speeding vehicles in their village, town or city,” said Darryl. “It is really important that we educate these drivers about the dangers of speeding and prevent crashes before they happen; the Community Speedwatch Scheme harnesses the passion of local communities to do just that. The marked vans staffed by members of the Special Constabulary will also act as a visible deterrent to those not paying attention to speed warning signs.
“These volunteers all make a real difference to the safety of others which is why I am genuinely pleased to fund the equipment they need to do that job.”
Community Speedwatch is not an enforcement tool, it is about educating motorists about speeding and monitoring speeding trends in neighbourhoods. Volunteers are trained in the use of speed indicator devices (SIDs) which display a vehicle’s speed. The registered owner of any vehicle seen exceeding the speed limit is sent an advisory letter from the force, explaining that speeding is unacceptable to the local community. Repeated speeding results in a letter hand delivered by a police officer. There are currently 135 schemes running in the county.
Nationally more than twice as many people are killed in traffic collisions as are victims of all forms of homicide combined, and six times as many as are killed as the result of knife crime. Last year the county established a local Vision Zero Strategy which houses one simple ambition, that no human being should be killed or seriously injured as the result of a road collision.
The partnership’s Delivery Manager Matt Staton, says speeding has been identified as top priority for all agencies to achieve ‘vision zero’ and that the evidence is clear, “the faster a vehicle is travelling the more likely someone is to get hurt if it is involved in a crash”.
In 2020 a total of 34 people were killed on the county’s roads.
The Commissioner awarded £15,000 to replace equipment used by Community Speedwatch Scheme volunteers and £56,000 to fund marked police vans to be used by Special Constables. This includes an estimated £50,000 to cover the cost and fitting out of three new vans which are expected to arrive later this year.
If you would like to join your local Speedwatch team visit: www.cambs.police.uk/information-and-services/Road-safety/Speedwatch/About-Speedwatch
