Villagers to be trained to use speed cameras

RobBrady

According to the Hunts Post the residents of St Neots in Cambridgeshire will be trained to use free-standing tripod speed cameras.

They report that 'Speed Watch' will be run by local volunteers and supported by Cambridgeshire police. The initiative aims to re-educate drivers about the dangers of speeding.

Although not sanctioned as a law enforcement activity, anyone caught speeding will receive a letter telling them they've been 'caught' and should slow down in the future.
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Robert Brady

Maddog1974 · Occasional Visitor Joined: Nov 20, 2004 Posts: 4

This happened to one of my work friends in Hatfield Peveral Essex, she got a warning letter saying she had been doing 40 in a 30 limit and to be aware and slow down next time. It explained the camera had been manned by volunteers too.

Not a bad idea i suppose and at least no points involved!

RobBrady · Posted: Tue Dec 30, 2008 12:07 pm Post subject:

Yes, Speed Watch seems to have picked up momentum and is gradually being rolled out right across the country. The scheme originated in Ash, Somerset way back in 2001.

Indeed a warning is preferable to a fine and points!
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Robert Brady

johnb2006 · Posted: Tue Dec 30, 2008 12:36 pm Post subject:

They are doing it in Burbage (Hinckley, Leics) too. Started earlier this year. Warning letters sent to serious/serial offenders.

They seem to do it for a few weeks at a time then move on to another area, training a local vigilante squad in each area as they go. I guess it's a way of spending some of the profits from the camera partnership taxation scheme.

They ran it again here about 6 months later, but had to re-advertise for more volunteers next time around. Maybe it wasn't so popular the second time!

DennisN · Posted: Tue Dec 30, 2008 12:43 pm Post subject:

There's a photo of a speedwatch operation in a village near Yeovil, I think, in my article "Day in the life of a Verifier".
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Dennis

If it tastes good - it's fattening.

Two of them are obesiting!!

philpugh · Posted: Tue Dec 30, 2008 3:44 pm Post subject:

I got 'caught' by one 18 months ago in a nearby village in Cheshire. I was clocked at 40 mph in a 30 zone. Unfortunately for my wife - I was in her car and she received the letter! I was not a popular bunny for a day or two! The letter is very formal looking and at first glance it looks as if you have been done. Even mentioned a £60 fine.

It certainly worked - I have never gone above 30 through that village again - esp when the wife is in the car.
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Phil

Kar98 · Posted: Tue Dec 30, 2008 3:49 pm Post subject:

"Re-educate", how I love that word. Rolling Eyes

pcaouolte · Posted: Tue Dec 30, 2008 6:20 pm Post subject:

According to DennisN's "Day in the life of a Verifier"

Darren · Posted: Tue Dec 30, 2008 6:50 pm Post subject:

They're not enforceable so we don't want them in the database. If a village has such a problem with speed that a real police officer is deemed necessary then we will at that point accept a report.

Policing on the cheap such as this does my blood pressure no good at all Evil or Very Mad

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Darren Griffin

w_axlrose1 · Occasional Visitor Joined: Mar 02, 2006 Posts: 3

I disagree with this. What right has a "nobody" got to sit there and monitor people's driving habits? Cameras should only be operated by officers of the law only.

Kar98 · Posted: Wed Dec 31, 2008 2:41 pm Post subject:

DennisN · Posted: Wed Dec 31, 2008 3:16 pm Post subject:

What's your take on Neighbourhood watch?
Would you (if you could get a note of it) report the registration number of a hit and run driver?
Would you ring the police if you saw somebody breaking into a bank or a house?

Twisted Evil

I'll get me coat Out of here

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Dennis

If it tastes good - it's fattening.

Two of them are obesiting!!

Kar98 · Posted: Wed Dec 31, 2008 3:29 pm Post subject:

DennisN · Posted: Wed Dec 31, 2008 6:17 pm Post subject:

Milemonkey · Posted: Sun Jan 04, 2009 9:46 pm Post subject:

Fantastic news !!!!! This will give the car hating, I walk everywhere, I love public transport cos I am scared of driving busy bodies something to do. I hope they all freeze till their bits fall off & I hope they don't forget the hi viz after all we wouldn't want to run one over would we. Numpties !!! Won't last too long, there will always be some nutter out there that will fly into a rage, bash a few heads, then they will all be to scared to come out to play.

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