Call for Town to rethink on considerate driver scheme

So far 76 Whiteshill and Ruscombe motorists who are plagued by speeding through traffic are keen to sign up to a new "considerate driver" scheme to try and combat the problem. The scheme would mean they'd promise to drive within the speed limit in their home area, therefore slowing down the visiting traffic behind them.

Photo: Headline about Whiteshill when A46 was closed

Chairman of Whiteshill and Ruscombe Parish Council John Rogers has written to all the parish and town councils in the Stroud district, suggesting other places also try the idea. He wrote: "We suffer from a problem that I am sure you are familiar with - the common practice of people driving through communities at speeds just below the level where speeding tickets are issued. As most village layouts are not suitable for 30pmph traffic this practice is both dangerous and detrimental to the quality of life in our communities."

Everyone tends to see their streets as belonging to their community but visitors see the same streets as just part of the highway. The considerate driver scheme seeks to address that by reminding drivers that villages they drive through are just like their own communities - in effect considerate drivers would act as pace cars, slowing down traffic behind them.
Town Council not convinced

I read in the local press that Stroud Town Council had not supported the 'considerate driver' proposals put forward by Whiteshill and Ruscombe Parish. I was not involved in putting those proposals together but fully support their initiative, so have written to them noting I would welcome an understanding about why the proposals were not accepted. Here is some of my letter:

The proposed scheme looks similar to the 'Pace Car pledge' that was originally developed by 'Mental Speed Bumps' author David Engwicht. In many other countries the 'Pace Car pledge' is used in cities and towns as a kind of treaty between neighborhoods; we will act as a guest in your neighborhood if you act as a guest in ours.

Comment from 'Less Traffic.com': "Pace Car drivers pledge to drive within the speed limit, stop to let pedestrians cross, walk when they can, and do something to their car to make others smile. They turn their car into a 'mobile speed bump'. (One that gets out of the way of emergency vehicles!). When enough people join, traffic is effectively calmed city-wide. Pace Cars calm drivers rather than streets. The Pace Car is now operative in many cities. To date it has not flourished in any (that we are aware of) because these program have lacked creative mechanisms for enlisting Pace Car drivers. A good product is useless unless you have good a 'product distribution network'."

Whiteshill and Ruscombe Parish already have 76 people (around 10% of their ward) willing to sign up and I know of some areas that are working with schools to introduce a scheme. This would hopefully get around the problems of enlisting? See more on Traffic Tamers here.

The cost of just one speed bump is huge and does, in my view, little to help - this scheme is part of how we can change the way we think about communities. I would love to see a wider project looking at ideas like this - supporting local schools 'walking buses' and other ways of street 'reclaiming'. How can we engage communities? Maybe one way forward would be for Parishes to meet to discuss this issue as it seems to me each ward has very similar problems around traffic? Thoughts welcomed - all the best - Philip

See award winning article on Shared Spaces: "City planning as if people mattered" by Philip Parker:
http://www.theecologist.org/peopleplanning.asp
See more re Pace car concept here:
http://www.lesstraffic.com/Programs/Pace%20Car/Pace%20Car.htm
One example from Sustrans:
http://www.saferoutestoschools.org.uk/index.php?p=cs50


Frequently Asked Questions - Pace Car
Will my car really make a difference?
Yes. We only need a small percentage of vehicles acting as Pace Cars to slow traffic city-wide. This starts a positive cycle. People feel more comfortable walking or cycling, which reduces traffic levels, making streets even safer, meaning even more people can walk or cycle.
Does the Pace Car provoke road rage?
No. Many people who sign up to the Pace Car Program were already acting as unofficial Pace Cars. They report that incidents of road rage decrease when they badge their car as a Pace Car. Instead of the driver behind thinking they are stuck behind some 'idiot' who doesn't know how to drive, the Pace Car sticker lets them know that there is a purpose for why the car is being driven within the speed limit.
What happens if I accidentally speed?
Take a breath and slow down. The Pace Car pledge is a declaration of intent, not a legally binding contract or new religion where you will be stoned if you break the 'rules'! Kicking the speed habit can be hard work. Allow yourself more time to get places so you won't be so tempted to speed.
Do I only act as a Pace Car in my neighbourhood or on all streets?
On all city streets. The Pace Car is a kind of treaty between neighbourhoods: you respect the quality of life in our neighbourhood and we will do the same for you. The Pace Car promotes a new civility and mutual respect on our streets.

Questions taken from Less Traffic.Com