THE NEIGHBORHOOD SPEED WATCH PROGRAM

(a public awareness program)

Speeding is a great concern of many Salt Lake residents.

One of the most frequent requests made to the Transportation Division is the need to address speeding along residential streets. The Neighborhood Speed Watch Program (NSWP) has been established to help address this issue.

The NSWP is a public awareness program involving the recording of speeds on neighborhood streets followed by the notification of the registered owners of vehicles observed being driven in excess of the speed limit. It is a program in which concerned citizens can play an active role in helping solve speeding problems in their neighborhood.

How the program works

• Citizen groups desiring to the take part in this program notify the Transportation Division expressing their willingness to initiate a "Neighborhood Speed Watch Program" in their neighborhood.
• Citizens wanting to proceed with the program are briefed on the requirements expected of them such as distribution of an education pamphlet throughout the neighborhood, proper data collection, use of equipment and the proper behavior of participants while conducting data collection. A radar unit is loaned to the citizens at no charge for a 48 hour period for the data collection.
• Working together, the neighborhood citizens can collect data anytime during the 48 hour period. At least two people are required for data collection. One person is responsible for operation of the radar unit while the others record the required vehicle information.
• Once all data collection is completed (maximum time 2 days) the radar unit is returned to the Transportation Division along with all completed "Speeding Vehicle Report" forms.
• License numbers of vehicles excessively speeding are processed by City Staff for a list of registered owners and vehicles descriptions. The official vehicle description will be cross-checked with the description of the vehicle provided by the citizens.
• A letter from the Transportation Division is then sent to the registered owners of all matched vehicles. The letter advises them of the observed speed violation and asks them to encourage drivers of their vehicle to drive within the speed limit when traveling on neighborhood streets.

Speed limits are established with the safety of both residents and motorist in mind.

The Neighborhood Speed Watch Program makes drivers aware of the neighborhood's concern for speeding problems and encourages safe and prudent driving when traveling on neighborhood streets.

If you or your neighborhood wish to participate in the "Neighborhood Speed Watch Program". Review how to start a speed watch program or call the Transportation Division at: 801.535.6630

PLEASE NOTE:
This is a Public Awareness program. The names and address of the owners of registered vehicles reported to have been speeding are kept confidential. Notices to the owners of these vehicles do not constitute a moving traffic citation, go on the owners official driving record or impose a fine.

How Can I Start a Neighborhood Speed Watch in my Neighborhood?

1. Inform the Salt Lake City Transportation Division (801.535.6630) of your desire to do a Neighborhood Speed Watch. Identify the location where you wish to conduct the speed watch.
2. Organize an area traffic committee to help you distribute literature and conduct the radar study. The Salt Lake City Transportation Division will put you in touch with your local community council for additional assistance,
3. Meet with the Salt Lake City Transportation Division to discuss your speeding problems and how the Neighborhood Speed Watch Program can help.
4. Pass out Neighborhood Speed Watch Program literature to the neighbors surrounding the speed watch location. The Transportation Division will provide the literature in pamphlet form and show you the areas that should receive the pamphlets.
5. Two people from the area traffic committee are required to run the radar unit in the speed watch area and will receive a 1/2 hour training class before receiving and using the radar speed equipment.
6. The two committee members will then take radar speeds at the approved location and record the license plate numbers and descriptions of all vehicles not obeying the speed limit at the approved location.
7. The radar seed gun and license plate numbers will then be turned over to the Transportation Division within two days of the Speed Watch.
8. The Transportation Division will process the information collected from the Speed Watch, send letters to the owners of The speeding vehicles and determine with your committee what follow-up may be necessary.