Speeding – what we are doing

We are tackling speeding across East Sussex by:

  • working with Sussex Police to support community speed watch schemes (including helping meet the cost of hand-held laser speed guns)
  • using speed-reactive signs that automatically warn drivers if they are breaking the limit
  • making more mobile speed indication devices (SIDs) available for parishes. These display the speed of oncoming vehicles and alert drivers who are over the speed limit. Five new SIDs have been ordered on behalf of the Sussex Safety Camera Partnership
  • assessing a possible reduction of the speed limit in 29 villages from 40 to 30mph. Thirteen villages are already 30mph zones
  • promoting walking, cycling and public transport, to reduce the amount of traffic on the roads
  • running Speed Awareness courses for drivers who have been detected travelling slightly over the speed limit and Driver Improvement programmes to retrain drivers and motorcyclists involved in ‘driving without due care' incidents.

Safety camera locations are listed on the Sussex Safer Roads Partnership website.

THINK! Slow Down with SID in Maresfield
THINK! Slow Down with SID in Maresfield

How can communities help?

Several community groups have been set up across East Sussex. They include representatives from the local school, parents, the parish council, the Road Safety Unit and Sussex Police. Their aims are to:

  • involve the community and schools
  • raise awareness of the dangers of speeding
  • encourage drivers to slow down and belt up
  • encourage drivers in the community to make the commitment to ‘kill their speed'
  • reduce casualties caused by speeding.

Excessive speed is the biggest single cause of road crashes, responsible for over 1,100 deaths and 12,600 serious injuries in the UK every year.

What does a community working group do?

The working group organises and provides helpers for:

  • a poster competition in the local primary school with the best posters displayed around the area
  • a speed-gun project with schoolchildren
  • ‘Footsteps' child pedestrian training
  • speed indicator displays with operators to alert speeding drivers
  • SpeedWatch marshals – local villagers monitoring speed, seatbelt wearing and mobile phone use
  • child seat checks and advice by road safety trainers
  • speed and seatbelt enforcement by Sussex Police.

If you would like to form a community working group, please contact the Road Safety team.