1,500 motorists are caught by volunteers

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Friday, January 27, 2012
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The Sentinel

MORE than 1,500 drivers were caught speeding by volunteers armed with radar guns over an 18-month period.

But none of the offending motorists observed by the Community Speedwatch groups received anything more than a warning letter.

Twenty speedwatch groups are currently operating in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire Moorlands and Stafford. While members are trained to use police-issue radar guns, they have no power to hand out fines.

A total of 1,577 drivers received letters after being caught speeding between April 2010 and September 2011. The majority of these were driving in the Moorlands, where nine groups operate. These volunteers caught 896 drivers breaking the speed limit, over 177 sessions.

John Kerby is a member of one of the speedwatch group in Biddulph. The 71-year-old, from Knypersley, received a certificate of commendation from Staffordshire Police for his efforts to improve road safety last year.

Mr Kerby said: "I think we are having an effect. We've been doing this about three years now and while we used to catch 20 or more drivers during a two-hour session, now we're only seeing about 10 speeders. But I don't know whether it's just because drivers have wised up to us and so they slow down when they see us and then just speed up again afterwards.

"We had about 15 volunteers at the start, but now we're just down to four regulars. Some people lost their enthusiasm when they realised it wouldn't be as glamorous as they thought it would be. But I think we do have the support of the public. We don't get people stopping and complaining any more."

Community speedwatch is also well-established in Stafford, where 598 warning letters were sent out over 18 months. But the scheme has had less support in Stoke-on-Trent, where only 12 sessions have been held and 83 speeders caught.

Mike Maryon, pictured, cabinet member for highways and transport at Staffordshire County Council, said: "Road Safety is our number one priority in Staffordshire. A lot of this success is due to the community taking this to heart and is probably the reason why the scheme has proved to be such a huge success.

"The impact that the volunteers have, acting as a deterrent simply by being there or issuing warning letters to motorists caught flouting the law, could be potentially life-saving.

"Their determination to make a difference is reflected in the consistently high number of sessions they are running."

Speedwatch groups typically monitor traffic at pre-identified locations over two-hour sessions. Whenever they catch a speeding motorist they take down the car's registration, as well as the make, model, colour and direction of travel.

This information is passed on to Staffordshire Safer Roads Partnership, which sends a letter to the driver. If the motorist is caught again they will receive a final warning letter and the area may be subjected to mobile camera enforcement.

Once a driver has been caught a third time, the police will carry out a background check on the vehicle, and the keeper will be visited in person by officers.

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176 Comments

  • Profile image for Speccy9eyes

    by Speccy9eyes

    Thursday, March 08 2012, 9:25PM

    “Wow, aan of influence. Well done Slackjawed.”

  • Profile image for Backdoored

    by Backdoored

    Sunday, February 12 2012, 11:13PM

    http://tinyurl.com/yz3nzoy

    night night.”

  • Profile image for Backdoored

    by Backdoored

    Sunday, February 12 2012, 11:08PM

    “Oh, just one last thing before I turn in ...try not to be too paranoid about the red and green -There's only us three on here now. I've fixed that too.”

  • Profile image for Redpitlad

    by Redpitlad

    Sunday, February 12 2012, 8:27PM

    “Me thinks..!
    there is some red arrow skulduggery abound.
    sad b*******s”

  • Profile image for Speccy9eyes

    by Speccy9eyes

    Sunday, February 12 2012, 4:29PM

    “Looks like he's marked down our comments using his various account names. What a plonker!”

  • Profile image for Speccy9eyes

    by Speccy9eyes

    Sunday, February 12 2012, 3:44PM

    “Here's me thinking that Slackjawed, AKA Backdoored would be keeping his head down in shame. He has been taken apart and ridiculed more than most men could take, but, no...... he's the pensioner that just keeps going on and on and on. His use of statistics is tenuous to say the least but I have to admit they are sidesplittingly funny.

    His amazing make believe world of derring do, exploits that many old men like him must fantasise about, particularly if they've done nothing with their lives and are looking back on what might have been, is understandable but he can't really expect anyone to believe him, can he. It's very suspicious that he doesn't really give any details about his "military career" or his "prison time" let alone his "Ice road trucking perios" Lol.

    Still, as long as he isn't out on the streets, he's safe eh?”

  • Profile image for Redpitlad

    by Redpitlad

    Sunday, February 12 2012, 12:33PM

    “There me thinking that Backdoored.. AK Walter Mitty would be tucked up in bed with a good spy novel and a cup of horlicks at 10.30 on a Saturday night....!

    but no he's off on one of his wild rants again

    so lets take *stats* well look them up walt .... ..!government figurers mind you Walt,,, 3% where speeding plays a part,...the vast amount are driver error road lay out plus drink drugs,mechanical failure ect. google them you might learn some think.

    and denials, deceit, snotty noses.typical cowards to a man...! what a big man you are sitting behind your key board Walter and no I would not like to mess with you...!

    you being trained to kill in the Army with your bare hands...!
    my word I bet you frighten them to death with your blood curling tales and daring exploits down at the Darby and Joan club.”

  • Profile image for Backdoored

    by Backdoored

    Saturday, February 11 2012, 10:24PM

    “Name calling data debate and analysis: How and who instigated it on this thread: The evidence -transparent -and apparent.

    (1) by lungknot; Friday, January 27 2012, 12:08PM (first posting of the 3 Musketeers) 3rd out of the traps from whole field:-
    "Look at George Hunt, probably cockney rhyming slang for something, with his black leather nazi gloves, all puffed up and important! tee hee."

    (2) Your good-self Redpital....by Redpitlad; Friday, January 27 2012, 1:18PM (2nd posting of 3 Musketeers) 6th out of the traps from whole field:-
    "What a pair of sad t***s."

    (3) by Alberus: Friday, January 27 2012, 2:58PM (3rd posting from 3 Musketeers) 10th out of the traps from whole field:-
    "George Hunt's middle name must be Isaac.

    So can you see -'Red' lad, you and your comrades in arms -have from your very first comments -used name calling -with little or no substance or reasons why you object so strongly. Childish no? Don't you think?

    Now, in contrast -here is my very first comment -coming in at No.24 :-

    by Backdoored: Saturday, January 28 2012, 11:39PM

    "Just because you're paranoid doesn't mean they're not 'camera-catching' you. The stats show that those who obey the speed limits (where cameras are in operation) -vastly outnumber the speed merchants. Fact.
    That's why there are so many 'red' disapproval ratings on here for the comments that knock the scheme. Keep it rational."

    No name calling whatsoever. I could have had a go at any of the three of you -but didn't. Why?
    Well, it's because I'm not childish I suppose -and was more interested in the subject matter and the emotions that surround that subject matter -in general. As I said, 'Keep it rational'.

    But now, see what happens here.....when you Red, come back on, having seen my non-name calling, you still indulge your childish nature ....with this attack on me:-

    by Redpitlad: Saturday, January 28 2012, 3:40PM

    @ "Backdoored,

    You being around 70 year of age..! WHY don't you go and join them...!

    then all three of you sad old farts could become tribute act to * last of the summer wine"

    You could play foggy which would suit your personality down to the ground.

    PS YOU CAN PARK YOUR TRACTOR ROUND THE BACK." (unquote)

    Now Redpitlad, can you see how deep you are 'into denial'... All three of you -the 3 Musketeers played the abuse card -and when I began to retaliate in kind -you all three bawled like little snotty nosed kids - You like to dish it out -but can't take it.
    Typical Cowards to a man -er, to a child I should say. Need I say more? Exposing your little silly games of lies and deceit will make no difference I know. All three of you are victims of some terrible misdeed in the past which as left you all scarred for life .... (relax -only joking -but you see the point I'm making -don't you?)

    Later in the thread -I then decide to 'meet fire with fire' -as you all three step up the abusive terminology and name calling -and that what you are now referring to. Perhaps Red lad -you'd like to scroll down and copy a sample for me? Just to see if I was as good at it as you and your two sidekicks -you have since disowned.
    Happy posting, ant tell your two mates to watch out for the speed guns -and cameras.”

  • Profile image for Redpitlad

    by Redpitlad

    Saturday, February 11 2012, 8:04PM

    “Urmmmmm I wouldn't go as far as to say that.”

  • Profile image for Backdoored

    by Backdoored

    Saturday, February 11 2012, 7:39PM

    “Thought that'd lure you out Red. We love eachother really don't we xx”

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