Star readers reject '1mph over the limit' speed crackdown call

West Mercia's Chief Constable wants to bring in far harsher penalties in an effort to force drivers to slow down.

The 'buffer zone' policy, which protects drivers who are caught marginally over the limit, is to be reviewed and could result in tough new measures brought in on the roads.

Anthony Bangham combines being head of national roads policing with his role of Chief Constable of West Mercia.

He said forces needed to 'change our messaging and ensure greater consistency of approach when dealing with those who exceed the speed limit' in a new report.

But it is thought Mr Bangham could face opposition from other chief constables over fears the measures would be difficult to enforce and risk accusations from the public that they are being treated as cash cows.

And today a shropshirestar.com poll of more than 2,000 readers has come out firmly against the plans.

More than three quarters – 77 per cent – opposed the suggestion, with 23 per cent backing Mr Bangham.

Speed cameras have been switched off in many areas for the last five years, but some councils have said they are considering bringing them back.

Drivers who go slightly over the speed limit - up to 10 per cent plus 2mph - are not generally prosecuted, under the 'buffer zone' policy. This means that, in theory, a motorist could go up to 34mph in a built-up area, and as fast as 78mph on a motorway.

Mr Bangham argues the policy that effectively allows drivers to be let off could encourage speeding and potentially put lives in danger.

He said it is wrong to believe it is the 'norm' to speed, adding: 'The existing speed could in fact be encouraging driving at these more dangerous higher speeds rather than the actual speed limits."

"If properly understood and applied, the guidance may provide forces with the necessary flexibility but over time its rigid application and understanding are often misunderstood, with an expectation that the 'norm' is 'it is OK to speed."

Latest Home Office figures show that there were 2.1m speeding offences dealt with by fines or in courts in England and Wales in 2016. This number would be expected to rise significantly if the new stricter rules were brought in.

Sufficient

Road safety charity Brake said it would support Mr Bangham's approach, saying travelling above the speed limit is not acceptable.

An AA spokesman said its view was that the current rules are sufficient but that no-one should break the speed limit under any circumstances.

"Police have rights to enforce the 10 per cent plus two guidelines which remove the grey area during prosecutions. Anyone doing over that deserves to be punished," the spokesman said.

A National Police Chiefs' Council spokesman denied the report that drivers would be fined for going 1mph over the limit but confirmed the current guidelines are being re-examined.

"Officers have a range of options available to them when drivers are speeding and respond in a proportionate way based on the circumstances in each case," he said.

"Current speed enforcement guidelines for police set in 2011 are being reviewed looking at available evidence.

"The findings of the review will be considered by all chief constables before any action is taken. There is no proposal for drivers to be prosecuted for driving one mile per hour over the speed limit - that would be neither proportionate or achievable."

Readers sceptical of changes

Shropshire Star readers have been engaged in a lively debate online since the proposed changes were revealed earlier this week.

While many support the general drive to get motorists to slow down, many question whether a get-tough system is the way forward.

And others say more should be done to tackle bad driving like tailgating, which can cause a danger at high speeds.

Speaking on shropshirestar.com, one reader named Fairguy said: “If Mr Bangham wishes to engage the responsible members of the community he’s going entirely the wrong way about it. This will only foster resentment and increase the ‘them and us’ atmosphere. With crime high he should be prioritising far more serious issues.”

Damacles said: “The vast majority of speed enforcement is either automated or conducted by operators of safety camera vans. Nothing to do with police officers. It is sad that so many people like to perpetuate this myth out of ignorance and a fashionable hatred of the police. And the speeding fines really do not go into the ‘police coffers’ or pay for the Christmas do.

“But, for the record I think Mr Bangham has got this badly wrong. He has catastrophically failed to read public mood. Of course this isn’t the right way forward and will fail on so many levels.”

Roger added: “Of course the chief constable is right. If you are doing 31 in a 30, no matter what your speedo says, you have breached the speed limit.

“But if the police have enough officers to pursue 1mph offenders they clearly have too many staff or they have entirely the wrong priorities.”

Zen said: “The police are as much use as a chocolate tea pot. They are getting more cash from an easy target – the motorists.

“It is very easy to be 1mph over the speed limit. If they were serious about this they would have more traffic police and get people who tailgate, drive erratically, drink and drive etc.”

Others supported the chief constable, including The Fat Controller, who said: “It isn’t hard to stick to speed limits, just as it isn’t hard to renew insurance, get an MOT once a year and ensure that your headlights and brakes are working. If you drive a vehicle, there are laws that you must obey. Speed limits are there for a good reason. How would your conscience hold up if you knocked down and killed a child in a 30mph zone when you were travelling at 32mph?”

Belinder R said more should be done to tackle speeding motorists on all roads, not just motorways.

She said: “We live in a village, Walford Heath, which is supposed to have a 40mph speed limit. We can actually tell which cars are doing 40mph or less as they seem to be going slowly. What’s the point of spending resources catching people doing 78 mph on a motorway when they can’t even stop drivers doing 78mph through our village?”