With vehicle speeds showing no signs of decreasing around the Frome area, a three-day blitz to remind motorists to slow down and take care was carried out last week.
However, the operation – carried out by police officers, Community Speed Watch (CSW) and the speed enforcement unit – reported that speeds are still ‘far too high’, with several hundred motorists being caught out.
Volunteer for Mendip CSW, Ashley Reay, said, “Despite the highly visible profile there were some of the worst examples of excess speeds that I have ever seen with those responsible facing prosecutions in court.
“Dozens of vehicles were stopped by the local police and cautioned as to their speed whilst hundreds more are to be sent warning letters. The speed enforcement unit who blanketed Frome and some local villages reported that speeds are still far too high with the resulting offenders which totalled several hundred will either be receiving a fixed penalty fine and penalty points or face prosecution.
“Some speeds were close to double the posted speed limit and the drivers will face a court summons for these offences.”
“In terms of success, then the massive joined up operation between the police/speed enforcement units and CSW was indeed successful.
“What was not so good was the facts that far too many motorists will again face prosecution with penalty points and fines or even higher penalties whilst others were given another chance by being issued with a warning.
“There is only ever going to be one winner in the speeding war and that is the police as for as long as the local motorists continue to speed then the enforcement officers will be back time and time again.
“A generous allowance above the speed limit is usually allowed before any actions are taken so perhaps those that seek to drive at sometimes ridiculous speeds should ask themselves ‘Do you wish for a knock on your front door and there stands a policeman telling you a loved one has been killed due to excess speed?’
“The motorist has a choice. Sometimes those killed by speeding vehicles have no choice.”
