Safe Speed Forums

We’ll stage our own speed checks
1/4/2003 Published on Friday 2 September 2011 16:00

POLICE OFFICERS CRACK DOWN OF PASSING MOTORISTS ON NATIONAL NO SPEEDING DAY. FOR STOCK SPEED CAMERA, SPEED, MOTORIST. LIMIT

VOLUNTEERS are being sought to operate speed guns in a bid to cut speeding on roads in and around Kinghorn, Burntisland and Auchtertool.
A pilot scheme called Speedwatch is to be set up in the area in response to villagers complaining about the number of vehicles doing well over the speed limits.
Members of the public will be trained to operate the hand-held devices.
They will then be sent out in teams of three to take details of speeding motorists.
They will have no powers to stop vehicles but the information they collect will be passed on to Fife Police for them to follow up.

Back-up
Motorists caught by the volunteer speed check teams could have warning letters sent out to them.
Police have emphasised that the scheme will not replace their role in catching those breaking the law - they underline that the Speedwatch scheme will act as an extra deterrant.
No date has been set for the pilot, but members of Kinghorn Community Council were given a presentation on the initiative at their monthly meeting last week.
Fraser Ballantyne, a member of the Community Council and former Fife Firemaster, said he would welcome the initiative.
“There are two sides to this, but I think it would be a good idea to act as a warning to people about their speed.
‘‘There are lots of roads in this area which people drive too fast on, including the Burntisland to Kinghorn road, the Auchtertool road and the Kinghorn Loch roads, where there have been many nasty accidents, and where speed limit reductions have recently taken place.
“We have been asking the police for more speed cameras on these roads.
‘’Having an extra deterrant like this would make people think twice about speeding as they could turn up at any place at any time.

Saving lives
“Some people will see it as a kind of vigilante scheme, but I think if it makes people slow down and saves lives then it is worth it.”
Chief inspector David McCulloch of Fife Police roads policing, said a three-month pilot scheme had already been successfully carried out in Cupar during 2010 in response to public demand.
“This is going to be a forcewide initiative and we will be looking for volunteers from groups like Community Councils who will be trained to use speed guns and will go out in groups of three on observational patrols.
They will not have any legal powers and they will not replace the police role in catching speeding motorists.”