Putting the brakes on drivers

HUNDREDS of volunteers will be working side by side with police officers this week as part of a national speed awareness campaign.

Community Speed Watch (CSW) groups are holding a dedicated week of speed checks across the force area and will be joined at the roadside by traffic and neighbourhood officers.

The campaign is part of the National Speed Enforcement Week and is the first time a co-ordinated forcewide operation has been run with CSW volunteers and roads policing officers during the week of action.

The operation will see volunteers and officers out in force in areas such as Ilchester, Crewkerne, Bath, Frome, Midsomer Norton, Williton and Winscombe.

Volunteers will be carrying out hundreds of speed checks in these towns and villages over the course of the week and anyone caught speeding will be issued with a warning letter by police.

Officers will also be stopping motorists caught speeding during the CSW sessions and reminding drivers about the dangers of excessive speed in residential areas.

In addition, roads policing officers will be carrying out speed checks on some of the major roads through the force area.

Chief Insp Yan Georgiou said: "Speeding is one of the four 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.

“This is why we are running a number of activities during speed enforcement week to remind drivers to slow down and to raise awareness of the dangers of speeding.

“The week of action is also a great opportunity to highlight the work of the CSW volunteers and the hours of their time they give up helping to make their communities safer.”

Police and Crime Commissioner Sue Mountstevens said: “Police volunteers do a fantastic job in support of the work of the police and this operation helps to recognise their contribution.

“Residents have spoken to me about speeding as an issue they are concerned about. These weeks of action are one of the ways that police and volunteers are helping to tackle this issue.

“I would also encourage people to get involved in CSW schemes and to report any concerns they may have about speeding in their area to their local beat team.”

To speak to your local beat team about CSW call Avon and Somerset Police on 101.

Tags:
News.