Figures for those reported for prosecution for speeding in the Frome area in 2019 showed an alarming increase of nearly 20% over 2018 reports.
Ashley Reay from the Community Speed Watch team reports, “It is both disappointing and frustrating that despite a generous allowance of at least 10% + 2 mph before prosecution is considered, that these offences still continue unabated. Over 2,500 motorists were reported for prosecution in the Frome area in 2019 for excess speed’.
“The police have even set up ‘stop and advise’ sites within Frome where they give words of advice instead of issuing a fixed penalty for speeding.1750 warning letters were also sent to offending motorists with seemingly little effect.
“Lets be perfectly clear and dispel the myth that speeding offences are just to raise monies for the local police as if you elect to take the penalty points and a fine if reported for speeding then 100% of that money goes to the government. Not a penny goes to the police. The aims of both the speed enforcement unit, police and community speed watch is to get the motorist to slow down not to prosecute but this does require an effort to be made by the public.
“Speed enforcement vehicles even drive deliberately through high residential areas to announce their presence, but even this has had little effect.
“The public has been and continues to be treated very fairly by the speed enforcement teams but they will not be just standing by when speeds of over 80 mph (30 mph zone) are seen at locations like Warminster Road in Frome on a regular basis. Further speed checks will be carried out almost daily at high speeding sites within the Frome area. It is time for some of the public to take regular looks at their driving and slow down before more tragedy occurs.”
Photo credit Speed enforcement at Warminster Road.
