SERP volunteers’ to help with speed enforcement
A group of volunteers in Harwich will become the first in the country to be given enforcement powers, under a new Safer Essex Roads Partnership initiative.
‘SERP volunteers’ will work in partnership with Essex Police in their role as Road Safety Ambassadors within their local community. This role will include a variety of education and enforcement activity to reduce the number of people killed and seriously injured on the roads.
SERP volunteers have been trained and authorised by Essex Police enabling them to enforce speed limits within their communities, together with attending local events, schools and colleagues to raise road safety awareness.
Harwich & District SERP Volunteers with Nicola Foster, Chair of SERP and Jane Gardner, Deputy Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner at the launch event.
The Harwich and District SERP Volunteers will be the first to participate in the initiative – which is designed to raise awareness of the consequences of speeding, failing to wear your seat belt, using your mobile phone whilst driving or driving while under the influence of drink or drugs – commonly known as the Fatal 4.
You can watch a short film that explains more here: https://youtu.be/51VPXemd1iI
SERP says the scheme is an important tool in its efforts reduce the number of people killed or seriously injured on the roads of Essex.
Nicola Foster, Chair of SERP, said: “This is a fantastic new initiative that supports residents who want to increase the awareness of the fatal 4 within their community and who are prepared to give up their time to be a visible safe presence on the roads.
“Please encourage everyone you know to drive safely, which includes keeping within the speed limits; particularly through rural communities and to support the work of these volunteers.
“We are privileged to have the support of these new SERP volunteers, in supporting Vision Zero in Essex.”
Dave Blackiston, Co-ordinator of the Harwich and District SERP volunteers, said: “The new ‘Safer Essex Roads Partnership Volunteer’ Team come from the local community and will work with the community to increase the awareness of the consequences of the fatal 4, through education and enforcement.
“We hope our presence will act as a deterrent and will make people aware of their speed. This isn’t about catching people, this about building on the work of the Safer Essex Roads Partnership in saving lives.
“I feel very proud to be able to support our local area by highlighting the dangers of unsafe driving.”
Roger Hirst, Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner for Essex, said: “Improving safety on our roads is one of the priorities in my Police and Crime Plan. Our objective is to reduce harm on the roads and promote safer driving.
“I’m pleased to see that we are giving communities extra technology to help deter drivers from speeding and are able to act on the concerns that residents have raised.”
This is a pilot initiative launching on 31 July and will be reviewed after 12 months.
For more information go to https://saferessexroads.org/
