Community Speedwatch
Help improve road safety in your community
Community Speedwatch is a road safety initiative coordinated by us and run by local volunteers.
Trained volunteers use approved speed monitoring equipment to help identify speeding vehicles and encourage drivers to reduce their speed.
Community Speedwatch is about education and prevention. By raising awareness of speeding and promoting safer driving, volunteers help make roads safer for everyone.
Why get involved?
By taking part in Community Speedwatch, you can help:
- improve road safety
- encourage drivers to keep within the speed limit
- reduce the risk of collisions
- support safer roads for children, pedestrians, cyclists and other vulnerable road users
- improve the quality of life for local residents
Volunteers regularly tell us that drivers slow down when they see Community Speedwatch groups at the roadside, helping to raise awareness of speed limits and safer driving.
How to get involved
Join an existing scheme
Register below to join an existing Community Speedwatch group near you. If there's no active group in your area, please email us to discuss other ways to get involved.
Start a new scheme
If speeding is a concern in your village, town or neighbourhood, we can help you set up a Community Speedwatch scheme in your area.
Setting up a scheme is free.
We provide:
- volunteer training
- insurance cover
- hi-visibility clothing
- access to the reporting system
- ongoing support and guidance
To start a scheme:
- roads must have a speed limit of 20mph, 30mph or 40mph
- volunteers must be aged 18 or over
- at least one volunteer is required, although groups of two to 20 work best
- volunteers must complete online training
- monitoring locations must be approved by Kent Police and assessed as safe
- local parish councils or community groups should be informed
Once these requirements have been met, our team will help you get started.
Email us to start a new scheme.
Further information
Community Speedwatch is designed to change driver behaviour rather than issue penalties.
Our data shows that over 93% of drivers recorded speeding for the first time are not seen speeding again anywhere within the Community Speedwatch system during the following 12 months.
This demonstrates the positive impact local volunteers can have on road safety.
The information collected during Community Speedwatch sessions helps identify speeding hotspots and supports wider road safety activity.
This may include:
- warning letters being sent to drivers
- targeted police enforcement activity
- road safety campaigns
- discussions with local highway authorities
- additional education and intervention activity
Drivers identified repeatedly speeding may receive a visit from police officers.
Vehicles recorded during Community Speedwatch activity may also be checked for valid tax, insurance and MOT compliance.
Community Speedwatch can fit around your availability.
- most sessions last around one hour
- you can volunteer as often as you choose
- no previous experience is required
- full training is provided
Sessions can take place during daylight hours, from 30 minutes after sunrise until 30 minutes before sunset.
For the safety of volunteers and road users, sessions should not take place when there is heavy rain, ice, fog or mist.
Speed Indication Devices (SIDs)
Community Speedwatch schemes use approved Speed Indication Devices to monitor vehicle speeds.
We may be able to loan equipment to some schemes, subject to availability. Many groups either purchase their own equipment or share devices with neighbouring schemes.
Some parish and local councils may be able to help with funding or provide access to equipment that they own.
Handheld speed detection devices
Approved handheld devices can also be used. These record speeding vehicles and help generate warning notices for drivers exceeding the speed limit.
Our team can provide advice on the most suitable equipment for your location.
Contact us
For information about the scheme, to find out about equipment, or to start a new scheme, please email us.
Alternatively, you can register online