Community Speedwatch Day of Action

Community Speedwatch schemes from across the UK have joined together in a coordinated day of action as part of the NPCC’s Operation Spotlight which focuses on tackling the fatal four driving offences.

A national initiative where proactive members of local communities join with the support of their local police, to record details of speeding vehicles, a statement said that despite preconceptions that a little bit of speeding is OK and shouldn't be targeted by police, or that it isn't the most serious of crimes, the fact was that speeding does result in road deaths.

In 2023, over half of all fatal collisions had at least one speed related factor contributing to their causation, and this isn’t just inexperienced drivers or riders, speeding is a factor in collisions of all ages, experiences and vehicle types. All those who lost their lives have family, friends and loved ones left behind due to drivers choosing to go above the limit.

As a result of these sorts of statistics, volunteers run Community Speed Watch, giving up their time because they care about their communities and want to help protect residents in their area. Many of these volunteers have jobs and busy lives outside of their volunteering but feel passionate about keeping local families safe.

In addition, speeding is constantly an issue that communities in Derbyshire highlight as being a significant problem and one they wish to see action taken, leading to groups being set up and sent out to target those areas which have been reported by the community as high-risk roads.

There are nearly 2,500 Community Speedwatch schemes across the UK with over 17,000 volunteers. The statement concluded: "Everyone should take responsibility for the safety of all road users, we must all play our part in reducing the numbers of people killed and seriously injured on our roads every year. Policing isn’t just about tickets, it’s also about education and community involvement, and Community Speedwatch encompass the two."

Police officials have issued a note of thanks to all volunteers who continue to contribute to Community Speedwatch sites in Derbyshire.