Hampshire Constabulary

You are here: Home → News & Campaigns → Press Releases → Joint speed operation promotes 20mph road safety message

Joint speed operation promotes 20mph road safety message

Press Releases

Published: 07/11/2008


Portsmouth City Council, the police and Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service have carried out an operation targeting speeding motorists in the city.

On Wednesday, November 5, stop check sites were set up by the Roads Policing Unit’s Community Reassurance Team at three locations in Portsmouth; in Ferry Road, Moorings Way and Francis Avenue.

Between 8am and 12.30pm police officers stopped motorists who were travelling over the 20mph speed limit, and spoke to them at the roadside.

Drivers were offered the opportunity to attend a road safety presentation instead of receiving a £60 fine and three penalty points on their license.

A number of presentations were held between 9am and 1pm at Southsea fire station, in Somers Road, and were attended by a total of 30 motorists throughout the morning.

Four people received the fixed penalty notices which imposed the fine and penalty points, and one of the drivers stopped was also found to be driving whilst uninsured. This person’s vehicle was seized from them and the driver was fined £200.

Those taking part in the presentations were asked to fill out feedback forms to evaluate their experience, and many agreed that the 20mph zones were a good idea in Portsmouth, and that the information they had seen and heard was of use and would make them drive more responsibly in future.

Sergeant Andy Lynch, who coordinated the operation, said, “This was a joint education and enforcement operation, where we wanted to give drivers the opportunity to think about their driving style and the risks of speeding, instead of just handing over a ticket. Our primary aim is to reduce road casualties, and excessive speed is often the cause of serious injuries or deaths in built up residential areas. Speeding motorists in the 20mph zones is a local concern that is regularly brought to our attention, and in conjunction with our partners we are committed to making the residential roads of Portsmouth safer.”

Watch Manager Ken Guy, Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service Road Safety Co-ordinator, said “It is a sad fact that so many people are injured or killed in crashes throughout the county, and so this kind of joint education event is an effective way of getting people to think twice about their driving. We also carry out these operations for people who drive without wearing a seatbelt, and for many it’s just a case of opening their eyes to the dangers that are posed to themselves and other road users. Yesterday’s operation was well attended and is definitely something we will be continuing in Portsmouth.

“Every day around 10 people are killed on Britain's roads and around 30,000 people a year are seriously injured.  We are working hard to make best use of all available local resources to reduce these tragic figures and we are pleased to be working with the Police and Portsmouth City Council to reduce deaths and injuries on the city’s roads.”

Cllr Lynne Stagg, the council's cabinet member for traffic and transportation, said, “Twenty is plenty. A pedestrian hit by a car travelling at 20mph is likely to suffer slight injuries, but at 30mph they are likely to be severely hurt. At 40mph or above they are likely to be killed. We introduced the 20mph scheme on our residential streets for good reasons, and while the majority of residents support and respect the limit, a minority don't, and need action like this to bring home what it's all about."


Copyright © Hampshire Constabulary 2012.

News | Freedom of Information | Complaints | Reporting Crime | Disclaimer