Retired village couple catch 130,000 speeding drivers in just a week
A husband and wife team have taken it upon themselves to catch motorists speeding through their village – and clocked over 130,000 offences in just one week.
Malcolm and Joan Buller, both 71, took matters into their own hands after growing tired of drivers racing through the small village of Staplehurst in Kent.
Donning hi-vis jackets and using their own speed guns and road strips, Mr and Mrs Buller along with a group of other volunteers found more than half of drivers broke the 30mph limit, with over 150 caught doing more than 70mph.
This group led by the Bullers measured 284,024 vehicles at points along Staplehurst's four main roads between 14-20 November last year.
The couple now hope their findings force authorities to install a much-needed speed camera in the village.
Cheaper than AA Price Promise^
- Roadside cover from £5.29 a month*
- We get to most breakdowns in 60 mins or less
- Our patrols fix 4/5 breakdowns on the spot
*At least 10% of new customers pay this for single-vehicle Roadside (Basic). ^T&Cs apply.
The Bullers’ findings – which could have seen a daily average of 19,000 speeding fines had a camera been installed – caused outrage in the village.
Mr Buller, who is also head of Speedwatch in Staplehurst, said: “When I told people the figures at the forum, they were just open-mouthed in shock. We live here and really don’t want to become an accident statistic.”
Another local said: “Something does need to be done before children are killed. We’re going to try to get a speed camera installed.
“It’s a long, straight road so people just welly it. So it’s only a matter of time before tragedy strikes.”
The Bullers surveyed the A229, the main north-south route through the village as well as 3 other main roads.
If you’re caught speeding, it’s likely it will be classed as a 'minor offence' and you will receive a Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN) of a £100 fine and three points on your licence.
You can usually avoid the points and opt for a speed awareness course instead, if it’s your first speeding offence or you haven't already attended an awareness course in the last three years.
However, if your offence is more serious, you could end up in court, where you could be hit with a significantly higher fine, more points on your licence, and a suspension or disqualification from driving.
Copyright Press Association 2019. Motoring News articles do not reflect the RAC's views unless clearly stated.
You might also like
Speed cameras – how they work
Speed cameras are used to record a vehicles speed to help enforce speed limits. Learn more about the different types, how they operate here!
Speed limits in the UK: know the laws
UK speed limits are generally 30mph in urban areas, 60mph on single-carriageways and 70mph on dual carriageways and motorways, but there are exceptions.
Speeding fines: how much you have to pay?
Find out how much your speeding fines will cost, how many penalty points you might get, and whether or not you'll get a driving ban, using our helpful guide.
12 ways you could accidentally invalidate your car insurance
How could you invalidate your insurance? To help keep you covered, here’s our guide to the behaviour that could leave you driving without insurance.
Fixed Penalty Notices: all you need to know
Fixed penalty notices could be issued for a wide range of traffic and motoring offences, including speeding or failing to wear a seatbelt.
Popular in News
1
Car buyers to save thousands as EV grant returns
2
Private parking companies issue a record 14.4m tickets to drivers in a single year
3
Drivers fined £1m from just 36 yellow box junctions in 2024
4
Road deaths on the rise in Great Britain
5
Private parking industry urged to publish ‘full and transparent’ complaints and appeals data
6
Drivers now able to search for new home that comes with EV chargers
7
Leicester’s Sean Kimberlin named as RAC Mobile Mechanic of the Year
8
Number of drivers caught using unroadworthy vehicles jumps by 52% in a year
9
Warning to drivers across the UK over fake parking apps
10