As we celebrate Volunteers’ Week, The SERP is shining a light on the everyday people making a huge difference to road safety in their communities, the incredible volunteers behind Community Speed Watch (CSW).
Since its launch in 2007, Community Speed Watch Essex has grown into a powerful force for good, with over 1,100 volunteers and 106 active groups across the county. Their mission is to save lives by tackling speeding in their community.
Local people creating a lasting impact.
Speeding continues to be a major cause of collisions that result in death or serious injury. In Essex, around 43% of fatal collisions have a link to excess speed. But Community Speed Watch is helping turn the tide — empowering people to take real, visible action in their own neighbourhoods.
With high-visibility jackets, police-approved speed detection devices, and a commitment to safer roads, these volunteers operate throughout the year, to monitor traffic and deter dangerous driving.
A Volunteer’s Story
Robert Wilson, Group Co-ordinator for Mayland and Steeple, knows all too well why speed matters. He founded his CSW group in 2022, driven by a deeply personal experience:
“My son was involved in a serious crash. He was driving too fast and lost control. He spent over six months in hospital and rehabilitation with a traumatic brain injury. I wanted to do something, not just to honour his recovery, but to help stop others going through the same thing. What shocked me most? The majority of people speeding through our village are local. This isn’t just about stats — it’s about our friends, our neighbours, our children.”
Why Join CSW?
Becoming part of Community Speed Watch isn’t just about standing on the roadside, it’s about standing up for your community. Volunteers report benefits such as:
- Feeling empowered to make a real difference in their area
- Building friendships and confidence
- Raising awareness and changing driver behaviour
- Connecting with local police, councils and road safety professionals
- Supporting Vision Zero, the goal of eliminating all road deaths and serious injuries on Essex roads by 2040
There’s no minimum time requirement. Whether you give one hour a month or ten, you’ll be helping create a culture of safer, more responsible driving across Essex.
All volunteers receive full training, use Essex Police-approved equipment, and are supported by their local policing teams and the SERP. You must be over 18, but there’s no upper age limit, and we welcome people from all walks of life.
Interested in joining or starting a group?
Contact community.speedwatch@essex-fire.gov.uk, or for more information, visit: Community Speed Watch – saferessexroads.org
