Motorists caught three times over legal limit in Bracknell and Wokingham
FOI request reveals shocking speeds recorded in 30 MPH zones
The highest speeds clocked by cameras in Wokingham and Bracknell were nearly three times the legal limit, a Freedom of Information request (FOI) has revealed.
One driver on Finchampstead Road in Wokingham was recorded hitting a whopping 88mph in a 30mph zone. Another was caught racking up a speed of 81mph on the same road.
However, the second highest speed clocked in Wokingham was on Barkham Road where an individual was snapped doing 84mph, again on a road where the legal restriction is 30mph.
The hot spots for dangerous driving in Bracknell Forest are on South Hill Road and Binfield Road, where the highest speeds were registered as 87mph and 81mph respectively – both roads are also 30mph zones.
A spokesperson for Thames Valley Police (TVP) said:
“Our Joint Operations Roads Policing Unit delivers targeted enforcement and education providing a deterrent designed to make the roads safer and reduce the numbers of persons killed or seriously injured.
“We use prevention campaigns, such as ‘It’s Not Worth the Risk,’ to try and ensure that all road users behave appropriately and keep themselves safe while using the roads in our region. “
The fastest speed that was recorded by any police force in the country was an incredible 163mph in Humberside – almost 100mph above the speed limit, according to an FOI obtained by car insurance provider, Goshorty.
There are currently 19 fixed and mobile speed cameras in Bracknell and seven in Wokingham, according to the online database, Speed Cameras UK.
TVP also runs a Community Speedwatch scheme in the area, designed to empower residents to monitor motorists in areas which are of concern.
“We rely on the public to provide information and would encourage anyone with information about speeding or poor driving to please report it so that we can gather information about a particular area and take action where appropriate,” said the TVP spokesperson.
TVP provides mandatory training to volunteers of the scheme, after which they record the registrations of vehicles going above the speed limit with the use of a speed indicator device or a handheld speed gun. This data is then given to the police and warning letters are sent to the offenders.
“We have found that regular sessions by the Community Speedwatch teams have had a positive effect on the behaviour of motorists, reducing reoffending by 95 per cent. The scheme gives the opportunity to residents and volunteers to tackle the issues of most concern to them and it is a great example of police and communities working together,” the TVP spokesperson said.