Speed watch puts brakes on drivers

Police, with the help of volunteers throughout the county, are putting the brakes on speeding drivers.
Police have sent out a record number of letters wanring of speeding over the last monthPolice have sent out a record number of letters wanring of speeding over the last month
Police have sent out a record number of letters wanring of speeding over the last month

Last month, the force sent over 1,600 warning letters, the highest number sent so far this year, to speeding drivers in Bedfordshire thanks to Speed Watch groups in the county.

The scheme enables volunteers to work to raise awareness of the dangers of speeding, and is made up of more than 600 registered volunteers who patrol their communities.

Speed Watch can be set up in any ward, village or parish governed by a 20, 30 or 40 miles per hour speed limit.

When they are on patrol, members of Speed Watch note the date, time, colour, make, model and registration number of any vehicles exceeding the speed limit. The results are then be forwarded to the police who send a warning letter to the registered keeper of the vehicle.

Persistent speeders will receive a second letter but on the third occasion they can expect further action to be taken by the police.

Chief Inspector Neill Waring said: “More people have been out and about enjoying the nicer weather and the summer holidays, but that doesn’t mean they can ignore speed limits. 1,600 in one month is a record number of letters so far this year, and we will continue to work with Speed Watch to promote safer driving.