Newton Abbot speedwatchers nab 30 drivers

Motorists will now get fines

Community speedwatchers in Newton Abbot, working with the police, have clocked 30 cars busting a 30 mph speed limit within two hours.

Local residents monitored the junction of Aller Brake Road and St Marychurch Road after becoming concerned about the speed of vehicles travelling towards the town centre.

They were joined by police speed detection officer (SDO) Dave Burrows, to provide enforcement.

The fastest speeder was clocked driving at 56 mph.

Ordinarily, motorists caught by community speedwatch volunteers would have their details recorded and warning letters would be issued to the vehicle owner, together with educational information. However, with an SDO within the group, anyone caught breaking the speed limit will be issued with a notice of intended prosecution.

Adrian Leisk, Devon & Cornwall Police’s head of road safety and chair of the enforcement committee at the Vision Zero South West road safety partnership said: “Newton Abbot Community Speedwatch is one of over 180 teams that we've got across Devon and Cornwall, with almost 1,000 volunteers supporting us in our efforts to make the roads safer. 

“Today we've got one of our own speed detection officers embedded within that community speedwatch team, meaning those caught exceeding the speed limit will be receiving prosecution notices on their doorsteps in the coming days.

“But it isn’t all about issuing fines and catching people out, it’s about changing behaviour. We are grateful to every single one of our volunteers who give up their time to work with us to keep Devon’s roads safe.”

The Newton Abbot Community Speedwatch team is headed by Councillor Mike Joyce, who added: “We are here because our communities told us there was a problem and we want to help solve it. People like to see us being visible on our roads, helping make our communities safer, whatever the weather.

“Having the police with us and backing us shows people that we are one big team that wants the best for our neighbourhoods. Working alongside the police gives our teams a big boost and I am proud to be a part of this project.”