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Speed Limits and Enforcement Speed limits exist to protect all road users - especially vulnerable road users. If a driver speeds then they are intimidating vulnerable road users. They also have an increased risk of causing an accident or even killing someone. The sole responsibility of a driver is to drive their vehicle carefully. Most neighbourhoods wish to have lower speed limits. This places an obligation on residents to observe the speed limits in their neighbourhood and other people's neighbourhoods too. It is fairly obvious that a significant number of drivers are ignoring the posted speed limits to a greater or lesser extent. The police have the power to enforce speed limits overtly or covertly on any road at any time. Unfortunately the Government does not allow Safety Camera Partnerships the same freedom which limits their effectiveness. This is why less than 3% of the road network has effective speed enforcement. Safety Camera Partnerships may introduce Community Speed Watch schemes. Such a scheme allows local members of the community to perform high visibility speed enforcement with a radar gun. Normally only warning letters are sent out to serious offenders. Such a scheme avoids the perverse rules regarding fixed camera placement (which require a significant number of deaths/serious injuries). It allows the community to protect itself. Derbyshire does not yet have such a scheme county wide. Other constabularies have had such a scheme for a number of years (for example Avon & Somerset and Cheshire). I have spent a number of years campaigning for lower speed limits that are more effectively enforced. Please watch your speed. |