Local Priorities Road safety issues (Speeding) Update

I wanted to provide you with an update regarding Road safety issues (Speeding), which people around your area have highlighted as an issue of concern on the priority survey.

🚦 Community Speedwatch – Making Roads Safer
Kent Police runs Community Speedwatch, a volunteer-led initiative focused on reducing speeding and improving safety.

What is Speedwatch?
👥 Local volunteers, trained by Kent Police, monitor speeds at approved sites (20, 30, or 40 mph zones) using certified equipment.
📋 Details of speeding vehicles are securely logged for 12 months. Repeat or excessive offenders may receive advisory letters—and in some cases, personal visits from officers.

Important:
Speedwatch is educational, not enforcement. No fines or penalty points are issued directly, but the data helps target police action and inform road safety improvements.

✅ Does it work?
Yes! Over 90% of drivers recorded speeding once are not seen again within 12 months, and overall speeding reduces in communities over time.

📍 Want to help?
If you can spare an hour a week, join us!
👉 www.kent.police.uk/speedwatch

Last week, whilst on A249 I witnessed a driver overtake another vehicle before cutting across the front of the other vehicle in order to take a slip road. I followed the vehicle which appeared to also be travelling above the speed limit and pulled it over. The driver was issued a warning under Section 59 Police Reform Act 2002 meaning if he is stopped driving carelessly again in any vehicle or anyone does so in his vehicle in the next 12 months then the vehicle will be seized as well as the driver being reported for the offence. Whilst this incident did not occur in Sheppey East, the driver in question was driving to Sheppey East at the time therefore hopefully this action will go some way to making the area a safer place.

If you ever experience this issue or have information regarding an incident, please report it using our online reporting tools at https://www.kent.police.uk, speak to an operator in our Force Communications Room via our online web chat or call the non-emergency number 101.

Get Involved

Please consider getting involved by registering for these messages, this will enable you to contribute to the local priority survey.  We may be unaware of issues that you would like us to focus on.  Take a few minutes to securely and privately register and have your say using the button below, this will mean we can focus on things that matter to you. 

Please click here to complete the survey