Release: Dorset PCC joins forces with Dorset Council to discourage speeding
Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) has worked with Dorset Council to bring in a 12-month road safety sign trial which launches today.
The Commissioner has funded the new information signs that will be placed around North Dorset to combat speeding in villages.
The trial comes after numerous speed complaints from North Dorset residents and will be carried out in up to ten village locations where no other measures, such as speed cameras are currently in place.
PCC, David Sidwick said: “This trial comes as a direct result of Dorset residents telling me of their concerns around speeding in their villages. I have heard their concerns and I hope that these new signs will encourage road users to think about their speed and take more care on Dorset’s roads.”
“Road safety is a hugely important issue and any death on Dorset’s roads is a tragedy. When you decide to get in a car and speed you are putting your own and others' lives at risk. In Dorset, we have an excellent Community Speed Watch scheme and the police Road Safety Team, both of whom work tirelessly to keep our roads safe. However, they cannot be everywhere. These signs will help to fill the gaps in villages where there are no other measures in place to combat speeding.”
Dorset PCC, Dorset Council and Dorset Police have developed the new ‘vivid’ signs for the trial in North Dorset. The signs are temporary signs and will act as a reminder to drivers to watch their speed through villages. BCP Council already have a similar sign in use.
Eligible areas will be selected to be part of the trial if they do not use electronic speed indicator devices (SIDs) or have mobile safety camera enforcement. The scheme requires there to be Dorset Council, Dorset Police and Parish Councillor support for a location to be selected.
Councillor Ray Bryan, Portfolio Holder for Highways, Travel and Environment, said: “We fully support this trial aimed at improving road safety within our local communities. We encourage our local parish and town councils in the north Dorset area which don’t currently have campaigns to reduce speeding, to contact Dorset Council Road Safety Team if they’d like to take part. We will review the pilot at the end of the trial period.
The group hope that the signs will help to reduce speeding and hope Parish Councils will evaluate the success of the scheme through pre and post speed surveys. The trial is supported by the Dorset Road Safety Partnership.