Speed Indicating Device
Welcome to the Community Speed Watch page.
Public Notice: Use and Rotation of Speed Indicator Devices (SIDs)
In December 2018, your Parish Council purchased a Speed Indicating Device (SID) to encourage driver speed awareness along Main Street. We keep the SID recharged and download/analyse the recorded data.
Lincolnshire Road Safety Partnership, who approved our device, completed traffic surveys on Main Street in June 2017 and June 2018. We are able to mount the speed device to capture traffic data travelling in both directions along Main Street. For traffic heading East, we mount the device opposite the Goods entrance to Witham School and for traffic heading West, we mount the device at East Green. Please look at the attachments below if you are interested in the technical details of the device or evidence about its effectiveness.
Analysis of data recorded from the SID is detailed in the document available through the link at the foot of this page.
In summary:
1. The decision to purchase the SID was based on the Parish Council's recognition of the concerns repeatedly raised by village residents about speeding on Main Street. It was agreed that the SID was a worthwhile investment as a means of influencing driver behaviour and thereby reducing the risk of speed-related casualties or loss of life.
2. There are typically xx vehicles per day Monday to Friday, and xx vehicles per day at weekends.
3. Average speeds are less than xx mph. With further evidence, we may conclude that the SID is having a positive effect on driver speed on Main Street.
4. There is little difference between weekday and weekend average speeds.
5. Up to xx% of vehicles (xx/day) are recorded at a speed of 42 mph+. This speed is chosen because it is used by police as the limit for attendance at a Speed Awareness Workshop. Between xx vehicles/week are recorded doing speed in excess of 50 mph.
6. Traffic volumes 7:00 – 9:00 am are xx times greater than the quiet hours from 8 pm to 7 am and xx times greater than the daytime hours. There is only a marginal increase in volumes between 3:30- 5:30 pm.
The Parish Council wishes to inform residents of our ongoing policy regarding the use and positioning of Speed Indicator Devices (S.I.D.’s) along Main Street.
To ensure the greatest benefit from these devices, they will not remain fixed facing a single direction, but will be rotated periodically. This approach has been adopted based on several positive considerations:
- Improved Driver Awareness: Drivers in both directions are reminded of their speed, promoting safer behaviour across the full length of the road.
- Avoiding Complacency: Regular movement of the device maintains its visibility and effectiveness, especially among frequent users.
- Balanced Speed Reduction: Speeding can occur in both directions; rotating the S.I.D. allows us to address this fairly and effectively.
- Better Data Collection: Alternating the device allows the Council to collect valuable traffic data from both directions for future planning.
- Enhanced Perception of Monitoring: Changing the S.I.D.’s direction reinforces the impression of active, ongoing monitoring, which helps deter speeding.
- Adapting to Traffic Patterns: Traffic flow varies throughout the year; rotating the device enables us to respond to these changes.
- Efficient Use of Resources: By maximising the S.I.D.’s functionality, we ensure good value for public money spent on road safety.
The Parish Council remains committed to promoting safer roads for all residents and road users. We appreciate your understanding and support as we continue to take proactive steps to manage vehicle speeds in our area.
If you have any questions or would like to provide feedback on this matter, please contact the Clerk, Bernard Champness
link 1 - to be made available shortly