Six speed indicator signs installed at Community Concern sites
August 14, 2020
Lisburn & Castlereagh Policing and Community Safety Partnership (PCSP) has just installed a further six Speed Indicator Devices at Ballymaconaghy Road, Carryduff, Ballynahinch Road, Hillsborough, Ravernet Road, Ravernet, Derriaghy Road, Milltown, Leathemstown Road, Dundrod and Clairehill Road, Moira areas in response to road safety concerns by local residents, validated by official PSNI statistics.
These signs are primarily an education tool to advise motorists to slow down to prevent death and serious injury on our roads. This latest number of Speed Indicator Devices brings the total across the Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council area to sixteen with devices already installed at Carryduff, Maghaberry, Anahilt, Ballygowan Road, Castlereagh, Belsize Road, Lisburn, Ballinderry Road, Lisburn, Drumbo, Lany Road, Maze, Hillsborough Road, Moneyreagh and Glenavy.
Speed Indicator Devices (SIDs) are vehicle activated signs which detect and display real-time vehicle speeds in an attempt to change drivers’ speed behaviour. They also store data on all approaching vehicles irrespective of speed. which includes the number of vehicles detected, the average speeds of the vehicles, the number of speed violations and the speed reductions being achieved by the signs. They are used most effectively in areas where the speed limit is restricted as a reminder to drivers that they need to slow down.
Speaking about the initiative, Councillor Alex Swan, Chairman of the PCSP, said “Road safety has been identified by the PCSP as one of its key priorities and the signs have been installed in response to this issue. Speeding is one of the main causation factors of death and serious injury on our roads and motorists need to be aware of the devastating consequences of road traffic collisions. This initiative has been developed over the previous two years and I am delighted to see a further expansion of these devices. I am aware of the concerns of the community in the areas where these signs have been erected and I hope that they will have a positive impact in reducing speed and changing behaviours of those who use our roads. I want to record my thanks to those local communities who have campaigned tirelessly on road safety issues which have resulted in these devices being installed.”
Cllr Alex Swan, Chairman of Lisburn & Castlereagh Policing & Community Safety Partnership (PCSP) with Keith Wilson, Chairman of Hillsborough Community Police Liaison Committee (CPLC) and Constable Kurtis Gribben, local Neighbourhood Officer at the launch of the Hillsborough Speed Indicator Device.
Cllr Swan continued “In the longer term, the data which is collected from the devices will hopefully be used to inform those responsible for road safety including the police and other government departments to ascertain the level of speed violations and the times of day when speeding is most likely to occur. What the camera does not do is record number plates and there is no repercussion of enforcement related to these devices.”
Chief Inspector John Wilson said “We welcome the extension of this scheme developed by Lisburn & Castlereagh City’s PCSP is in response to concerns raised by local communities. The sole purpose of this technology is to improve road safety by encouraging motorists to slow down. Inappropriate speed for the road conditions is one of the four main contributory factors in the most serious road collisions, which kill and seriously injure people. We hope the installation of this new system will have a positive influence on driver behaviour.
"Drivers must take responsibility and stop this dangerous behaviour. Road safety remains a priority for police and we will continue to work alongside Lisburn & Castlereagh City’s PCSP to share information and ensure we deploy our resources in the most effective manner to address this issue. Our message is very straightforward. Slow down; always wear a seatbelt, concentrate on your driving and Never EVER drive after drinking or taking drugs.”