Derby students join forces to make local roads safer with Speedwatch initiative

Students from Derby College Group (DCG) are making a tangible impact on road safety by joining the Derbyshire Community Speedwatch scheme, a grassroots initiative aimed at educating drivers about the dangers of speeding.

45 of the Public Service course students, aged 18 to 21, are lending their skills and enthusiasm to support the 88 established Speedwatch groups across the county, and the students include 20, who are studying for the BA Criminal Justice Degree.  One of the Speedwatch sessions was held in Morley near to the local school (pictured).

Their support outlines the importance of community-driven policing efforts while providing them with invaluable hands-on experience for their future careers in public service.

Community Speedwatch (CSW) is designed to empower local volunteers to address speeding concerns in their neighbourhoods. Trained volunteers, including the DCG students, monitor vehicle speeds and record the registration numbers of those exceeding limits. These details are then forwarded to the Casualty Reduction Enforcement Support Team (CREST), who conduct checks and send educational letters to vehicle owners, encouraging safer driving behaviour.

This collaboration highlights DCG's commitment to equipping students with real-world skills while making a difference in their local communities. With speeding being one of the “Fatal Four” contributors to serious road collisions, these young volunteers are playing a vital role in fostering safer roads across Derbyshire.

Chrissie Draper, DCG Higher Education Advanced Practitioner who teaches the students, said: "Our students are passionate about making a difference in their communities, and the Derbyshire Community Speedwatch scheme is the perfect opportunity for them to apply their learning to a real-world issue. By participating, they’re not only contributing to road safety but also gaining valuable experience in public service and community engagement. This hands-on initiative will help them develop the skills and confidence they need for their future careers."

Megan, a BA student who is taking part in the scheme observed. She said: “Being a coordinator is a good opportunity to gain insight into one aspect of working alongside the police. I find it enjoyable, and I have the responsibility of reporting back to the speed watch team."

Paul Cannon, Derbyshire Constabulary Speedwatch Co-ordinator, explained: “We are so pleased to have the students join the scheme in Derbyshire. Speeding is one of the ‘Fatal Four’ that we know contributes to our most serious collisions and we are working hard to persuade drivers to stick to the speed limits across the county. A large part of the work we do in force is enforcement; however we strongly believe that part of the long term solution is to make drivers aware of how concerned people living in our communities are about the dangers of speeding.

“This year, 2024, the brilliant work our volunteers have done means that we have issued more than 9,500 letters to the owners of speeding cars, explaining the danger and asking them to consider their future driving behaviour. The fact that this message is now also coming from younger members of the community makes that message even stronger.”