Research into Community Speed Watch letters identifies opportunities to improve scheme’s impact

New research has highlighted the importance of considering the content of letters issued through Community Speed Watch, with letter wording having the potential to influence how drivers understand and respond to the scheme.

The study, funded by The Road Safety Trust, found that while revised Community Speed Watch (CSW) letters alone do not appear to reduce speeding for all drivers, they play an important role in influencing driver behaviour and drivers’ views on the scheme.

Undertaken by Dr Leanne Savigar-Shaw from the University of Staffordshire, the study examined the effectiveness of outcome letters sent to drivers detected speeding through CSW initiatives. Drawing on survey responses from 785 drivers, CSW speed data and wider academic evidence, the research explored how drivers respond to letters and identified opportunities to improve both the impact and credibility of the scheme.

The findings suggest that receiving a CSW letter can positively influence driver intentions. Drivers who took part in the survey reported significantly lower intentions to speed in the six months following receipt of a letter than they reported for the previous six months. Among those intending to reduce their speed, 80% said their experience with CSW had contributed to that decision, while almost one in four said it was the sole reason for changing their behaviour.

Participants identified factual information about people killed or seriously injured (KSI) in road collisions, alongside details of potential future enforcement action, as the most persuasive elements of the letters. They also showed limited knowledge and understanding of how the course operates in relation to police forces, who undertakes CSW and for what purpose, and the training that volunteers receive. The research found that letters provide an important opportunity for this information to be presented to drivers in an effort to help improve its impact on drivers and road safety.

However, analysis of CSW speed data produced a mixed picture. While some schemes recorded reductions in the proportion of speeding vehicles over time with letter wording changes, others showed little change or even increases, meaning the research found no consistent evidence that changing letter wording alone leads to lower speeds.

Dr Savigar-Shaw said: “The research is an important first step into exploring the role that letters play in generating safer drivers, but more research is needed to consider the short-term and long-term impact of letter wording on those who experience CSW”

The study did identify encouraging evidence that repeated engagement with CSW may influence behaviour, with one police force area recording lower speeds among repeat offenders at their second detection, regardless of whether they received the original or revised letter.

Drivers also expressed support for CSW as an alternative to more formal enforcement action, but the research highlighted concerns about inconsistencies in how schemes operate across different police force areas. Variations in the information included in letters, particularly whether the driver's recorded speed was provided, affected perceptions of legitimacy and made it easier for some recipients to question the accuracy of the intervention.

The research concludes that CSW outcome letters should be viewed as behavioural interventions rather than simple administrative notifications. It recommends the development of a nationally consistent approach to both the letters and wider CSW practices.

Recommendations for letter content include using police branding to reinforce legitimacy, including the driver's recorded speed and details of the offence, explaining how Community Speed Watch operates in partnership with police and trained volunteers, providing opportunities for recipients to respond, highlighting the risks associated with inappropriate as well as illegal speeds, and emphasising the benefits of returning to safe driving behaviour.

The report also recommends greater consistency in data collection to improve future evaluation. Recording information such as traffic volumes, repeat offending and the number of letters issued would enable more robust assessment of the long-term impact of Community Speed Watch interventions and help identify best practice across the country.

Dr Savigar-Shaw added: “CSW letters are experienced as a point of interaction between police forces and drivers, with the potential to impact drivers’ perceptions of the police and relationships with the law. It is imperative that they are developed with the intention to improve those relationships”

“Using research-informed content and continually exploring the impact of such letters can help us to build a more effective approach with the greatest value to road safety and police-community relations”

The findings reinforce the importance of combining evidence-based behavioural interventions with consistent national practice to maximise the contribution CSW can make to improving road safety.

Ruth Purdie OBE, Chief Executive of The Road Safety Trust, said: “Community Speed Watch can be an important tool for roads policing, both as a deterrence to speeding but also as an educational tool for motorists. I am grateful to the thousands of volunteers up and down the country who give their time to support the scheme and help make our roads safer.

“This research is a helpful step in informing police forces on how best to communicate with offending drivers, giving them a chance to further the scheme’s effectiveness and influence driver behaviour.

“I would encourage all police forces to review the project’s findings and consider whether they could update the content of their own CSW letters to help reduce the risk on our roads.”

You may view the study’s findings and associated materials on the dedicated project page.