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Speed Watch should go national, judges say

A scheme to cut deaths and injuries on roads in the Keighley district should be adopted across the country, according to the Prince Michael Awards' judging panel.

The director of Roadsafe, Adrian Walsh, last week presented a Prince Michael commendation certificate to West Yorkshire Police for the Speed Watch scheme.

Mr Walsh said: "Most drivers understand the dangers of speeding but don't like some modern enforcement methods. This innovative community approach really brings home the message. The awards' judging panel recommend its adoption across the country."

The Speed Watch traffic-monitoring initiative is co-ordinated by the police and managed and run by members of the Volunteers in Policing scheme.

Volunteers use speed devices to monitor and record traffic speed on roads that have been highlighted by the community as being hotspots for speeding vehicles.

Every volunteer is accompanied by a uniformed police officer, special constable or police community support officer in order to provide them with reassurance in dealing with the public.

The scheme helps identify speeding motorists who then receive advice letters. When persistent speeders are identified road traffic officers are informed.

Inspector Tony Walker, who introduced Speed Watch to West Yorkshire and co-ordinates the initiative in Keighley, said: "The scheme is being used to highlight the dangers of speeding, not to raise revenues in fines.

"The idea is to increase public awareness of pedestrian casualties and fatalities in residential areas. Over 1,000 advisory notices have already been sent out to members of the public who have been recorded breaking the speed limit in Keighley."