Dorset Police news site

Over 50 dedicated Community Speed Watch (CSW) teams took part in a targeted week of action that identified over 500 vehicles exceeding the speed limit.

Between Monday 13 October and Sunday 19 October 2025, 55 CSW teams deployed across the county in a bid to keep motorists driving within the speed limit.

Community Speed Watch is a road safety initiative, which empowers volunteers to contribute to road safety and raise awareness of the dangers of speeding in their localities. The scheme is community driven, actively supported by Dorset Police, and allows members of the public to play their part in achieving the shared goal of reducing casualties on our roads.

The volunteers use a basic speed detection device to monitor a vehicle’s speed – they are not able to take pictures as the device is not a camera. If a vehicle is identified as travelling over the speed limit, the volunteers will make a note of the vehicle details and a warning letter will be issued by police to the registered keeper.

In 2023 and 2024 combined in Dorset, exceeding the speed limit was the most common contributory factor of a fatal collision. Therefore, it is vitally important that work is carried out to keep people safe.

During the week of action, the teams monitored a total of 15,099 vehicles, resulting in 525 letters being issued to drivers.

In Broadwindsor near Beaminster, a vehicle was identified travelling over double the speed limit at 46mph in a 20mph zone. Two vehicles in other areas were identified travelling at 54mph in a 30mph zone.

Mark Armstrong, Head of Road Safety at Dorset Police, said: “I am incredibly grateful to each and every one of our Community Speed Watch volunteers who give up their time to help keep people safe and make their communities a better place.

“Speeding is one of the fatal five causes of collisions and our aim during the week is to make a driver think twice about how fast they are travelling to help prevent a road traffic collision.

“Some of the speeds that were identified were incredibly dangerous – travelling at over 50mph in a 30mph zone is unacceptable and could end up with tragic consequences.

“Our dedicated and invaluable volunteers provide additional eyes and ears out in our communities to help us enhance our intelligence and better understand locations vulnerable to drivers taking a risk with their speed. 

“The results are also shared with local authorities through the Dorset Road Safe Partnership for consideration of other speed restriction and road engineering measures such as traffic calming, speed indicator devices or a change to the limit to be considered.”

Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner David Sidwick said: “I want to express my sincere thanks to every volunteer who gives up their time to support the Community Speed Watch initiative and particularly for their hard work during this week of action.

“Community Speed Watch volunteers are an essential part of Dorset Police’s efforts to make our roads safer. Their dedication and local knowledge help to change driver behaviour and remind motorists of the importance of sticking to safe and legal speeds. Working together with Dorset Police, they are helping to reduce harm, save lives, and make our roads safer for everyone.”