City of York Council has launched a new 'Community Speed Watch' campaign aimed at challenging the attitudes of drivers who think that it's acceptable to speed.

The campaign will help residents to get tough on speeding drivers, with the support of the council's road safety team, and aims to ensure that everyone drives at or below the speed limit.

Residents are being asked to sign up to a speed pledge and will be provided with stickers for their wheeled bins and cars bearing the message 'It's our neighbourhood - watch you speed!'.

Tom Foxton, from the council's road safety team, commented: "Changing people's attitudes is key to tackling speeding. We are hoping that the city's residents will really get behind the campaign and try to influence the attitude of drivers who think that it's acceptable to speed.

He added: "The aim of Community Speed Watch is to reduce traffic speed and encourage safer driving behaviour. Seven out of ten drivers admit to speeding; driving at 40mph in a 30mph zone is seen by many as more acceptable than dropping litter. Drivers still distinguish between what they regard as ordinary, 'safe' speeding and dangerous speeding, but in fact there is no difference.

"You can help us to combat this problem in your neighbourhood. By displaying our Community Speed Watch sticker on your wheelie bin, you will be sending out a message that speeding is not acceptable in your neighbourhood. You can also make your own personal pledge to drive safely by signing up  to our campaign today and pledging to drive within the speed limit for the safety of all York residents."

Maureen Cooper, chairman of Stockton on the Forest Parish Council, said: "I hope that this campaign reminds everybody that they have a responsibility to drive within the speed limit, particularly in residential areas. By taking part in the campaign, our community is showing that we do not speed and that we do not accept speeding in it."
 
Any residents keen to get involved in the campaign or sign the online pledge, should visit www.york.gov.uk/roadsafety or contact the road safety team by emailing road.safety@york.gov.uk or telephone 01904 551331.