DfT clarifies position regarding SID

Bill Sandalls, accident investigation & road safety officer for West Berkshire Council has been in dialogue with the DfT with regard to the legality of SIDs (Speed Indicator Devices).

He has received the following response from Caroline Britt from the DfT's road safety division:-

1. DfT has received a number of enquiries regarding the use of Speed Check and Speed Indicator Devices (SIDS). Primarily there seems to be some concern as to whether they constitute a road sign and therefore whether they require special authorisation.

2. DfT view these devices as no more than ‘informatory’ - not as any form of roadside signage. They do not tell the driver any more than is already displayed on a speedometer.

3. In addition, these devices are moved regularly. The 'smiley' face SIDS, in particular, are only in any one location for a matter of hours. Authorisation would therefore be somewhat difficult.

4. The Department understands that these devices are already being used widely and while it considers their value to be limited (they do not tell the driver what they are doing wrong) it understands local authorities are claiming some success.

5. As such - providing local authorities do not fix any form of speed limit or road traffic sign to these devices, or use them for any kind of enforcement - the Department does not consider that any special authorisation is needed (type approval issues are not a matter for DfT).

For further information contact Bill Sandalls, bsandalls@westberks.gov.uk or Caroline Britt, Caroline.Britt@dft.gsi.gov.uk