New Warning Signs Aimed at Speeding Drivers

New signs to make drivers more aware of their speed have been unveiled in Suffolk.

The 10 temporary Vehicle Activated Signs (VAS) and mobile signs are a joint effort between Suffolk County Council and Suffolk police.

The signs, which show the speed you’re travelling at, will be moved to locations across the county identified by Suffolk police, county and parish councillors as having the biggest impact.

The mobile tripod-mounted signs will be used by the community speedwatch groups for up to four weeks at a time. Officers have met with volunteers from 39 groups across the county to explain how the signs can be used, and some have already started using the kit.

In Waveney, the signs are being deployed in 24 locations around villages north of Lowestoft in a continuing bid to get motorists to think about how fast they are going through residential areas.

Thanks to volunteers from the local Community Speed Watch (CSW) team, the sign, nicknamed Sid (speed indicator device) by the team, is being moved around north Lowestoft – taking in Flixton, Somerleyton, Sands Lane in Oulton, Church Lane in Lound, Corton Long Lane and Lowestoft Road in Blundeston in the past week.

It will continue to be used in these parishes as well as in Bentley Drive, Higher Drive and Gorleston Road in north Lowestoft. The device will also soon be shared with teams in Reydon and Yoxford.

Louis Smith, local CSW co-ordinator, said: “Community Speed Watch in villages north of Lowestoft has now been running for three years with eight or nine volunteers carrying out regular checks at locations in the six parishes and ‘Sid’ is now complementing this work.”

PCSO Sue Kershaw, of the Lowestoft North Safer Neighbourhood Team who patrols villages north of the town, said: “Speed is the thing I get most complaints about when I’m out talking to people.”

Guy McGregor, cabinet member for roads and transport at Suffolk County Council, said: “Many people, including pedestrians, cyclists and horseriders, are anxious about the speeds of vehicles on local roads. I am confident that the signs will help to encourage drivers to slow down and will also reassure vulnerable road users.”

He said there were already VAS signs across the county, but mainly fixed ones, adding the mobile signs were for more impact and also gave additional responsibility to the speedwatch groups.

Tim Passmore, Suffolk Police and Crime Commissioner, said: “Better road safety in Suffolk is a major priority of our new Police and Crime Plan.”