Speed Management

We encourage drivers to slow down by using a range of approaches involving both education and enforcement. We inform drivers of their speed via the use of the Speed Indicator Device (SID) and encourage drivers to reduce their speed with our poster campaign.

A significant number of complaints made to the Police and West Berkshire Council are about vehicles exceeding the speed limits. A recent survey carried out in the community put vehicles speeding as top of the list of complaints in at least one of the villages in the area and second on the list in another.

Should you be unfortunate enough to be involved in a crash, the speed that you are travelling at makes a difference to the damage caused and the severity of any injuries. Statistics show that if you hit a child at 35mph you will most certainly cause serious injury at 40 mph a fatality will most likely occur.

West Berkshire Council’s Traffic and Road Safety Team regularly monitors vehicle speeds and that information is used to target our work and reduce casualties. Data is also passed to the Police for their information, and to support enforcement.

Build time into your journey to cover unforeseen delays.  It is far better to arrive early for an appointment that not to arrive at all.  If you do not do this, there is the danger of delays, making it impossible to meet the appointment time and you could end up exceeding the speed limits to try and make up time.

Please remember that there is so much electronic speed measuring equipment of various forms in place throughout the country, that if you should transgress, the likelihood of you being caught is very high. Why take this unnecessary risk?  It is not worth it.

It is incumbent on us all to obey the speed limits, they are there for a purpose and should not be abused. The consequences of such abuse can be very severe.  Persistent offenders run the risk of a court appearance, disqualification from holding or obtaining a Driving License and increased insurance premiums following conviction.

To request the Speed Indicator Device, please contact the Traffic & Road Safety Team or complete the online SID request form.