What does volunteering to make your local roads safer actually look like?
This week, the Mayor of Eastleigh, Councillor Richard Gomer, spent an hour with the Chandlers Ford Speedwatch team on Hursley Road, getting a first-hand look at the work local volunteers are doing.
Chandlers Ford Speedwatch has been active since 2015. The team meets at least weekly at locations around the parish where there are concerns about speeding.
Volunteers are trained and approved by police personnel and use police-approved speed detection equipment, including speed guns and a Speed Indicator Device (SID).
And it seems the Mayor got rather enthusiastic about the role!
As the Chandlers Ford Speedwatch Coordinator put it:
“The Mayor was very enthusiastic and we needed to retrieve our Speedgun from him.”
The Mayor was joined by members of the Speedwatch team, Chandlers Ford Police Officer Charlotte Thorpe and PCSO Harriet Bishop.
Volunteering in your community
Community Speedwatch is a great example of how local volunteers can play an active role in making their communities safer.
Volunteers don’t stop drivers or issue penalties. Instead, they monitor vehicle speeds using approved equipment and work as part of a wider community and police approach to encouraging safer driving.
And it’s not just about Chandlers Ford.
Communities across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight can get involved in Community Speedwatch, with Eastleigh currently looking to establish a new group and welcoming volunteers.
You don’t need to be a traffic expert. Volunteers receive training and support, and you’ll be part of a team working together to make a difference where you live.
Could you get involved?
If you’d like to find out more about Community Speedwatch volunteering in your local community, take a look at the opportunity on Volunteer First.
👉 Community SpeedWatch Volunteer – Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary
View the volunteering opportunity on Volunteer First
Whether you’re already part of a local Speedwatch team or you’re interested in helping set one up in your community, your time could help make a real difference.
