Community Speed Watch volunteers across Dorset, including a team from Langton Matravers, monitored more than 15,700 vehicles and issued 387 warning letters during a week of action aimed at making the county’s roads safer.
The road safety initiative, actively supported by Dorset Police, took place between Monday 14th October and Sunday 20th October 2024.
Langton Matravers speed watch volunteers were joined by PCSO Karl Snooks from the Purbeck South policing team
55 mph in a 30 mph limit
During the week, 32 community speed watch teams were deployed on 46 occasions, covering more than 100 locations in Dorset.
Of the vehicles monitored during the week, 2.5 per cent exceeded the speed limit and will receive warning letters. The highest speed recorded was 55 mph in a 30 mph limit.
Dorset Police’s Community Speed Watch coordinator Maria Attwood said:
“The week showed a real collaboration between the volunteers and uniform colleagues working together to keep the roads of Dorset safer for all users and the figures speak for themselves.”
In Langton Matravers, where the speed limit was reduced to 20 mph through the centre of the village in July 2024, the Purbeck South police team were out on Wednesday 16th October 2024 with the local community speed watch team.
Purbeck Police said:
“The volunteers were in fine spirits, despite the weather. Thank you to the team for their continued support and commitment.”
After years of campaigning by the parish council, part of the main road through Langton Matravers has become a 20 mph zone
Reducing road casulaties
The intention of the scheme is to allow communities to raise awareness of the dangers of speeding in their village or local area, with the aim of reducing road casualties.
In Dorset there are nearly 1,300 Community Speed Watch volunteers.
The volunteers operate with a basic speed detection device to monitor drivers exceeding the speed limit. The device does not take photos and the results do not result in a fine.
Instead, a warning letter is sent by the police to the registered keeper of the vehicle, notifying them that their vehicle was seen to be exceeding the legal speed limit. The aim of the letter is to make drivers think of their speed and in future, to drive within the limits.
Dorset Police say that as well as warning letters being issued, the work of officers and the safety camera teams during the week resulted in more than 200 speed and other offences being processed.
Speed watch volunteers checking the speed of motorists through their village
“Stick to the speed limit”
Sergeant Gareth Thomas, of the No Excuse Team, said:
“The No Excuse Team works closely with the Community Speed Watch volunteers and during the week, officers joined the teams during their shifts.
“These volunteers are passionate about the safety of their villages and towns and do a fantastic job in helping drivers slow down and prevent casualties.
“We have seen some vehicles travelling well in excess of the speed limit and we were pleased that our officers were there this week to help reinforce the road safety message.
“My advice to anyone travelling through Dorset is to stick to the speed limit – you won’t get to your destination any later, you will make the roads safer and our communities will be quieter.”
Further information
- More about Community Speed Watch in Dorset
