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Dunfermline Press

Villagers get speed guns to hit racers

Matt Meade • Published 28 Oct 2011 08:42 Print Comments 24 Comments

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MEMBERS of the public will be given speed guns in a bid to get drivers to slow down in Aberdour.

Groups of volunteers are to use the police radar equipment at points in the village to catch culprits breaking the 30mph limit.

But far from vehicle vigilantes roaming the roadside, they will have no power to stop drivers or get them charged with speeding offences.

The Speedwatch pilot is expected to start next year with Fife police working alongside the community council.

Arthur Lloyd, chair of the community council, said, "Our role is not to catch people but to try and get them to slow down. We have no powers of arrest and can't get anyone charged.

"All we can do is record people who are going more than 37mph in a 30 limit or 27mph in a 20 limit.

"Volunteers from the local community will be trained to use the speed guns."

Areas including Main Street, High Street, Shore Road and Hawkcraig Road are areas expected to be focus points for the pilot.

The trained volunteers will wear luminous vests and use 'community speedwatch in operation' signs next to the operation.

More than three people must take part to corroborate vehicles' speed and registration plate.

Mr Lloyd added, "We're warning people that this is happening.

"If people ignore us then those recorded doing more than 37mph will have their speed sent to the police who can then can write a letter to them.

"They will not be charged as we don't have the power, so it's about awareness."

The Speedwatch scheme was first piloted in England before being used in Cupar last year.

Sergeant Jonathan Peebles explained, "The pilot scheme held in Cupar was deemed successful as average speed in the area where it was deployed was reduced.

"Speeding through Aberdour is an issue the community council often raise with police, so it's something we think will be effective in the village.

"If it's successful we can potentially roll it out to other community councils in South West Fife."

He added, "Volunteers can't get the vehicle to stop or get involved with the driver.

"They will note the speed from the device, take the details of the vehicle and hand in a return sheet to police.

"The only thing we can do with that is to send a letter to the registered keeper of the vehicle explaining that they were travelling through a Speedwatch in the area and what their speed was.

"It's really an educational approach to speeding rather than enforcement."

This article appeared in Dunfermline Press 27 Oct 11

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