Wiltshire Police praised after 150 drivers caught on Swindon road
In total, officers from local neighbourhood teams, and the Community Speed Enforcement Team, clocked 167 drivers travelling faster than the 40mph speed limit on the popular route. The highest speed captured during the operation, which took place over the course of a week, was 64mph. Of the motorists caught by police, 135 drivers are eligible for a speed awareness course while 32 will instead receive three points and a fine.
But what do the people of Swindon think about this week-long operation from Wiltshire Police? Are they happy that something is being done about speeding on the popular road, or do they think that the police should be doing something else with their time? We have compiled some of the best responses to the article from Advertiser readers on our Facebook post.
Linda Hook said: “Need one on other side of the road as well.” Becki Ryan: “Just put fixed average cameras between junctions.” Carol Ann Stokes said: “Great [there is] always speeding down there.”
Alan Wilson said: “Tip of the iceberg. We need more speed checks across this town. “Keep up the good work.
“You’ve only got to worry if you exceed the speed limit. It’s quite simple really.” Janet Shaw said: “Good.
Just stick to 40. It’s not a very long road! Couple of miles.”
Keana Marsh said: “It’s a road that needs looking at, loads of accidents and the lights cause road rage massively as if you get stuck at one set you’re screwed for the rest.” Richard Clark said: “I wonder what time of the day they were checking speeds? “We really need them to check speeds after 11pm each night.
“That’s when the actual racers are out in their very fast and noisy vehicles.” Steph Shim: “10am yesterday morn they were there, unmarked corsa parked on the verge. Only knew it was police by the uniform.”
Richard Clark said: “All they are going to catch is the odd individual who drifts over the speed limit, not the ones who deliberately use our roads as racetracks late at night.” Alan Hedges said: “Kingsdown cross road. So many run a red light.
Swindon Police won’t be long until a accident.” Lesley Ward said: “Yep, always cars and vans speeding down there if council wants to make some money cameras comes to mind.” Frank Williams said: “We’ve all seen exactly the kinds of horror that can happen when motorists speed and lose control in this town so initiatives like this are most welcome.
“As are the efforts of community speedwatch groups like the one in Highworth – I regularly see them get abused for keeping our roads safe – but they do such a wonderful thing for the community and should be applauded. “Anyone who thinks that the speedwatch groups or the police are wasting their time by doing things like this should have a real hard think about their priorities if you ask me.” Jacinta Jinto said: “150 people speeding is mad to be honest.
The speed limits are there for a reason.”
Stephen Jamie said: “There are no speed cameras in Swindon so people have probably gotten used to driving however they want.”
Reggie Coates said: “Far too many people speeding all over Swindon and don’t get me started on those boy racers.”