NEW SPEED-REACTIVE signs designed to cut the number of traffic accidents by reminding vehicle drivers they are travelling too fast are shortly to be installed by the IW Council.
The signs are the first of many being purchased as part of the council’s One Island commitment to tackle speeding and reduce the number of traffic accidents in the county.
Speed-reactive signs are a major part of that programme and the first eleven are to be installed throughout November.
In order to address the inappropriate speed of some drivers, it is proposed to install speed reactive signs at the following locations:
· Bembridge, Embankment Road
· Carisbrooke, Clatterford Road and Gunville Road
· Gurnard, Tuttons Hill
· Havenstreet, Main Road
· Nettlestone, Calthorpes Road/Nettlestone Hill
· Winford, Alverstone Road
· Whitwell, Ventnor Road
· Sandown, Culver Parade and Esplanade
· Shanklin, Whitecross Lane
· St Helens, Station Road and Carpenters Road
· Wroxall, High Street
A speed reactive sign remains blank faced until excessive vehicle speed is detected. The sign then displays an appropriate message, ’30’ + SLOW DOWN for example, for up to four seconds or until the vehicle slows sufficiently.
A number of similar signs have already been erected at sites throughout the country and have produced consistently lower vehicle speeds and reduced the number of accidents.
The signs will be detachable so they can be moved to other areas when required.
The council’s road safety team has recently been boosted with the arrival of Rachael Thorne in the role of Speed Management Project Officer. Her duties involve assessing the locations for speed reactive signs.
Prior to joining the Isle of Wight Council, Rachael was employed at Leicestershire County Council where she was involved with the installation and monitoring of a number of speed reactive signs across Leicestershire.
Rachael’s experience in this area will ensure that the new signs are installed in the areas where they will be most effective.
Cllr Tim Hunter-Henderson, IW Council cabinet member for environment and transport, said: “We know from our One Island consultations just how important an issue road safety is to Islanders.
“We are confident that this latest step — part of a wide ranging programme of initiatives being undertaken by this council — will make a significant contribution to making our roads safer for pedestrians and motorists.”
