'Watch' scheme reduces number of speeders in Spilsby

Spilsby Community Speed Watch members have been out in the town monitoring drivers.

The good news was announced in a week when the National Police Chiefs Councils (NPCC) Speed Enforcement Campaign began a three-week crackdown to increase drivers' awareness of the dangers of speeding,

Lincolnshire Police is undertaking enforcement and educational activities over the course of the three weeks. National statistics show inappropriate speed contributes to around 11% of all injury collisions reported to the police, 15% of crashes resulting in a serious injury and 24% of collisions that result in a death.

Spilsby Community Speed Watch members have been out when people are travelling into work and parents are dropping children off at school to monitor motorists speed.

Mayor Terry Taylor said: "Since the Spilsby Community Speed Watch team have been out monitoring drivers regularly, the percentage of speeders has tended to reduce, but it is still high."

Insp Marc Gee, Roads Policing lead, Lincolnshire Police, said: “We will play a part in making our roads safer, along with Lincolnshire Road Safety Partnership.

“Speeding is one of the fatal4, along with seatbelts, phones and drink/drug driving, and therefore part of our year round focus on road safety.

“Throughout this campaign, officers will use their discretion to offer advice, issue Fixed Penalty Notices, educate through a speed awareness course if appropriate, and where necessary place a driver before the court.

“We can all play a part in making our roads safer by respecting the speed limits.”

The Spilsby Speed Watch team members are a mix of town councillors and members of the public.

Once a member has received formal training from Lincolnshire Road Safety Partnership (LRSP), they are able to join a team of fellow speed watchers for planned sessions in areas that have been approved as safe by LRSP.

Coun Taylor said, “Our speed watch team are dedicated to making Spilsby Roads safer for everyone and I would invite any residents who are motivated to join them, to contact the Town Clerk at the council office in the first instance”