Fifty drivers stopped in Hove for breaking 20mph limit

About 50 drivers have been stopped in Hove after breaking the 20mph speed limit although none were fined.

The drivers were stopped by Sussex Police and told that the 20mph limit was legally enforceable contrary to some people’s belief.

They were stopped by the Hove Central neighbourhood policing team working with an officer from the road safety team at Brighton and Hove City Council.

They were using “speed detection equipment” in Clarendon Villas , Cromwell Road and Lansdowne Road.

Councillor Ian Davey, the Green Party’s transport spokesman, said: “The main aim of the lower speed limits is to reduce the number of people hurt on our roads.

“In the last three years we have seen 19 people killed and over 3,000 injured.

“There is clear evidence that lowering speed limits to 20mph can help. Lower limits are enforced just as 30mph speed limits are. I am very pleased that officers from both the council and neighbourhood policing teams have been working together to help improve road safety.

“I hope this will help drivers understand the legality of the lower limits and reasons for them.”

Inspector Jason Hazzard said: “The officers tested the equipment and were training on it at the same time.

“While they were there, they stopped around 50 vehicles that were travelling above the speed limit and gave them advice about the 20mph zones and the possible penalties for exceeding the limit.

“We expect drivers to play their part in improving safety by complying with the limits.

“However, where drivers are regularly and wilfully breaking the law and it is raised as an issue by residents, we will take action to deal with offenders.

“Those deliberately breaking the speed limit can be targeted for enforcement as this would be appropriate and proportionate.

“And we would encourage the public to report drivers or riders through the use of Operation Crackdown at www.operationcrackdown.org.”

The drivers were all stopped last Tuesday (20 November).