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The case for a radical, liberal left
Flashing signs to be rolled out in bid to cut speeds
by Ian Shires on 27 January, 2016
Signs that flash up drivers’ registration numbers when they are caught speeding will be extended to a busy road in New Invention. They are due to be installed by the end of next month subject to weather conditions.
Photo courtesy of Express and Star
The Watchman sign will be installed along Lichfield Road, New Invention where the speed limit of 30 mph is being regularly ignored by motorists. A sensor placed on a pole detects drivers’ speed, and anyone going too fast has their registration number displayed on a sign by the roadside.
The Watchman sign is part of a Local Safety Scheme programme that has recently been approved by Walsall Council following a long campaign headed up by Willenhall North Lib Dem Cllr Ian Shires to improve road safety along this busy stretch of the A4124 Lichfield Road between Forest Gate and Squires Grove in New Invention.
The proposals include the following:
- Refresh existing road markings and signing;
- Introduce slow markings and warning signs to highlight junctions;
- Introduce Watchman Signs (electronic displays that illuminate with a slow down message and the vehicle registration plate) as shown on the attached plan. These signs have been used elsewhere throughout the borough to control vehicle speeds;
- The gate Island improved lane markings to improve discipline for vehicles negotiating the roundabout
i got caught by this watchman sign it was a bit of a shock to see my reg flashed on the screen it did distract me for a while,i thought that because it was a dual carriage way that the speed limit was 40, i think that if you had bigger flashing speed limit signs to warn people of the speed limit this would be good to. i have heard that their is no fine for this offence and that they are there to educate people, i think this is a good idea rather than fining them i certainly will be more carefull.
Hi Pete
Thanks for your feedback on the Watchman signs on the Lichfield Road. You are correct in saying that currently the signs are there to educate drivers to comply with the Highway Code. There are many drivers who like you assume that because the road is duel carriageway the speed limit is 40. This is not the case. As a rule of thumb you should assume that the speed limit is 30 unless there are repeater signs on lamp posts saying otherwise.
Sticking to speed limits has added advantages, try checking your fuel consumption, you should get a pleasant surprise…..
Simple it works & its embarrassing
When you see your reg up there it makes you double check I was probably doing 33 but as a professional driver I know how dangerous & unacceptable this is
Hi i just in morning going by the Lichfield road wachman sign flash my reg speed was i think 35mph what shouldI do now
Hi Gurmit
The watchman sign is at present not connected to the enforcement agencies. It is there to warn you to slow down to the legal speed limit which is 30 mph. What you need to do is remember to abide by the law. It’ll save you money in the long run as you will get more miles per gallon.
Drive safely
Ian
l finished night work dropping a work mate home and l saw my reg flashing l flee very emotional all day l was only going 32 or 33 but thanks l will check next time..
When are these signs going to be connected to the enforcement agencies, never seen one before
Good question, one which we have repeatedly asked.
Ian
Went through about 4pm.Traffic quite heavy, flashed my reg to slow down, I was doing 28 mph
Thanks for your feedback. I did report it in to Highways and they should have rectified it by now. Not good will chase it up.
As you probably realise at the moment these signs are not used to penalise motorists more as a reminder. To be so far out is not good. You may also be aware that variable speed camaras are to be deployed at a number of hot spots in the near future. This is not one of the initial sites.
Thanks again for your feedback
Ian
Ian, I am a Parish Councillor in South Staffordshire. I would be interested in finding out where you got these units from please. Thanks, Alex
Perhaps the best way to deal with this would be to suggest that your Highway Authority adopt such a system. For them to work with maximum effect they need to be linked into the same system that monitors Speed Cameras. Hope this helps.
Hi I was driving my car at 43 miles an hour this sign flashed 40 so I slowed down then the same sign flashed a picture of a camera what does that mean
Would need to know where this occurred
Had my reg displayed doing 35 took me by surprise. What will happen now.
Where was this?
Just been flashed on A4124 Lichfield road by this watchman sign and was doing 31-32mph. What does this mean? Am I going to get fined?
Probably nothing as far as I am aware. Its purpose is simply to alert drivers and hopefully get them to reduce speed.
Hi
Was going towards Bescot on business from the West Brom side & a camera flashed up from going to a 40mph to a 30mph very quickly was only doing 31mph,Will this be a fine please? Thanks for your time.
Can’t say for certain, but the cameras you speak of are normally used in order to act as a deterrent, to get drivers to react and slow down, they are not usually backed up with a speeding fine. Police deal with moving offences, council deal with static offences through Community Enforcement Officers. Finger crossed, you should be OK. Just remember to take the advice, in current cost of living crisis you will be surprised how much you save on fuel costs by sticking to speed limits.
Hope this helps.
Kind regards
Ian