Volunteers needed to help drive down speeding in Liskeard
Police are calling for residents in the Liskeard area to help put the brakes on speeding motorists in their communities.
They are currently recruiting more volunteers to join the Community Speedwatch scheme which covers from East Taphouse and Doublebois to St Ive, and Pensilva to Widegates. Recruits are also needed for Stoke Climsland near Callington.
Volunteers, supported by local police, monitor local routes with speed detection devices to highlight the dangers of driving too fast. Speeding drivers are reported to police and those who repeatedly flout the law can be prosecuted.
The main aim of the scheme is to educate drivers, save lives and reduce injuries on the roads, and to help to improve the quality of life for local communities.
The scheme covering St Ive and nearby villages, has so far proved a great deterrent with a drop of more than 50% in speeds recorded during their monitoring sessions.
On Wednesday 6 November neighbourhood volunteers monitored the A390 for an hour. Of the 320 motorists checked, nine were exceeding the 30mph limit. One was caught at 48mph and another at 40pmh.
Liskeard Police Community Support Officer Steve Edser, who joined the volunteers at the site, said: “Residents tell us that speeding is still one of their biggest concerns and we know that this is certainly a major contributor to collisions on our roads.
“In St Ive speeding was very prevalent until regular Speedwatch sessions educated drivers to think about slowing down. This latest session demonstrates that while a handful of drivers were still intent on exceeding the limit, the vast majority were travelling at a safe speed.
“Our volunteers are doing an amazing job and just show how community minded people can make a real difference in making our roads safer.”
New volunteers receive full training and support from the neighbourhood policing team.
Liskeard and Stoke Climsland scheme co-ordinator Derris Watson said: “If anyone has some spare time to support the scheme and to help raise awareness then we would love to hear from you.”
For more information about schemes in your area and how to volunteer, please visit: Community Speedwatch | Devon & Cornwall Police
