Speedwatch is a subject I have touched on in the past but thought it was an opportune moment to revisit the topic in the light of recent events.

It is a volunteer organisation operated under the Community Speedwatch umbrella, a wider police family of volunteers, and is supported by the Police and Crime Commissioner and Devon and Cornwall police.

Let’s get rid of some myths.

1.We are not vigilantes, just concerned residents.

2.We are trained and pass an exam to ensure that we are competent to operate the equipment and be responsible when on site.

3.Sites are only operated after being risk-assessed and approved by the police.

4.We are unpaid volunteers, not police officers.

5.Our equipment is authorised by the police but funded by ourselves.

6.Where we stand, what we are doing and our operational hours are governed by the police.

7.We only record vehicles that are exceeding the speed limit for any particular area we are monitoring and only that information is forwarded to the police.

We volunteer for the scheme because we are passionate about the area and want to reduce deaths and injuries on our roads caused by speeding.

We are part of the Police and Crime Commissioner’s Vision Zero Policy.

Put quite simply, if vehicles didn’t speed then we wouldn’t be present on the roadside. In a recent conversation with one motorist who stopped to ask what we were doing, they expressed the opinion that it is safe to exceed the limit when there is no traffic about. We disagree.

There are three Speedwatch groups operating in and around Newton Abbot, two in the town itself and others in KIngkerswell and Kingsteignton.

It’s our ambition that the three groups work together more often to deliver greater visibility on our roads.

Recenty we were fortunate to have the Road Policing Team supporting us with both static speed equipment and mobile marked and unmarked vehicles. This exercise, one of the first of its kind in Devon and Cornwall, was successful on all fronts and further sessions will take place.

So, if you’re interested in working to ensure road safety for all, and have time to spare, why not consider joining us?

The more volunteers we have the greater the impact we can have on reducing excess speeding and the number of people killed or seriously injured as a result.

if you are interested please contact me via [email protected] or by calling 07712668969. I can assure you of a very warm welcome.

My thanks must go to Devon and Cornwall Police, The Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner and to all the volunteers in and around Newton Abbot.