Fresh method to tackle speeding across Somerset towns and villages (From Somerset County Gazette)

Fresh method to tackle speeding across Somerset towns and villages

1:00pm Saturday 20th October 2012 in Taunton

Fresh method to tackle speeding across Somerset towns and villages

FLASHING signs warning drivers of their speed could be coming to a road near you.

Towns and villages with a history of speeding can apply to use the speed indicator devices for two weeks in a bid to stamp out the problem.

Anti-speeding campaigners have welcomed the £200,000 investment from the county council to improve road safety.

Roger Stoakley, who has called for safety measures in and around Adsborough for a number of years, believes signs would be invaluable across many areas.

He said: “They’d be very useful and, given the amount of accidents, it’s evident that people need to watch their speed.

“Though drivers won’t be penalised for speeding I think the signs will still work.

“When it pops up and shows what speed you’re doing it does make you stop and think.

“I’ve noticed them in villages in North Somerset and they seem to be very effective.”

The signs record every vehicle’s speed, regardless of whether the warning message is activated, but do not take any other details.

Creech St Michael Parish Council chairman Clare Sampson said: “We’re very much in favour of the signs and hope they’ll improve safety on our roads.

“The data they record can be used to lobby Somerset County Highways.

“We hope to get them at two sites – the road through to Creech Heathfield and St Michael’s Road.”

The devices will spend up to two weeks at a location and will not be installed in the same place within four months.

Harvey Siggs, county council cabinet member for highways, said: “This is a great opportunity for towns and villages to help us make their communities safer places, and to be more involved in helping to manage the roads where they live.”