Officers from the Speed Enforcement Unit and members of the local Community Speed Watch have been carrying out speeding checks in Rode and Farleigh Hungerford near Bath.
The action was in response to a number of accidents that had occurred in the area with the aim of raising awareness of the consequences of speeding and to remind drivers to keep a check on their speed for the safety of all road users.
Known as “the fatal four”, speeding is one of the main causes of serious injuries and deaths on the region’s roads – along with drink/drug driving, not wearing a seat belt and using a mobile phone.
The first day of action was held on Monday 27th July. In total 339 motorists were detected speeding with 221 during the first day and a further 118 detected during the second day, Wednesday 29th.
One driver was witnessed doing 74mph in a 30 zone near one of the villages.
Depending on their speed or the specific offence, those drivers will face either a fine if £100 and three points on their licence; or a summons to court.
Where appropriate, some drivers might be invited to attend a Speed Awareness Course instead.
Ashley Reay, from Mendip CSW, who observed the police operation, said: “It simply beggars belief that some motorists were approaching the 30 mph zones at speeds over 50 mph. There can be no excuses.
“The police are very visible to all traffic during these operations and you have to wonder if it is a case of motorists either not seeing or not caring about speeding through a village.”
Inspector Mark Nicholson said: “This operation was to put speed reduction in the spotlight and to stress to motorists the dangers of driving too fast.
“We know that speeding is one of the issues most often raised by communities at PACT and public meetings and is therefore a priority for them and for us.
“Activities such as these joint speed checks are about community partnership – police working with the public to help keep their neighbourhoods safe.”
Community SpeedWatch gives local people the ability to actively get involved in road safety and can be set up in residential area governed by either a 20, 30 or 40 mph speed limit.
A watch consists of local residents, who are trained and volunteer a small amount of time each week to monitor speeds with speed detection equipment.
Persistent speeding offenders receive up to two warning letters and after that further action is then taken by police.
Insp’ Nicholson added: “Community SpeedWatch is a fantastic example of local people being empowered to help tackle the issues that concern them the most and make a difference where they live.
“We will continue to run these checks and work with the SEU and CSW to keep our roads safe.”
