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What is 'Set the Pace - Make the Commitment'?
'Set the Pace - Make the Commitment' is a community focused anti-speeding campaign led by the Council’s Road Safety Unit and supported by our Highways Engineers and Cheshire Police.
The campaign asks you, the motorist / passenger, to make a personal written commitment to drive or encourage others to drive at an appropriate speed for the environment and road conditions and always within the legal speed limit; to practise 'safer speed behaviour'.
If we are completely truthful, most, if not all of us, can think of a time when we have either driven too fast or have been a passenger with someone else who has exceeded the appropriate or legal limit and we have not asked them to slow down. Signing up to 'Set the Pace' is a non-threatening opportunity for us all to review our behaviour and undertake to either keep to a sensible and legal speed ourselves and encourage others to do the same. There is no legal enforcement involved - details of signatories are not shared with the police or any other third parties so you need not worry about any negative comeback as a result of signing up. It is simply a personal appeal to hearts and minds that with your support we can help break the cycle of misery caused by excessive and inappropriate speed in the communities of Cheshire.
Like charity, the process of change must begin at home. The police and ourselves can and will continue to make every effort to influence driver behaviour but we can only do so to a point. The fact is that the threats to the safety and quality of life of ourselves and others come as a direct result of the choices and actions of each and every one of us when using the roads; in this case the speeds at which we choose to travel. If everyone was committed to travelling at safer, appropriate and legal speeds, the concerns and complaints constantly expressed to, and often shared by, the authorities about the dangers caused by the speed of traffic in local communities would be diminished. Concerns like…
The safety of vulnerable road users
It is not rocket science when we say that the higher the speed at which a vehicle impacts with a pedestrian or cyclist, the more severe the resulting injuries and the less their chances of survival…
Hit by a vehicle travelling...
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at 40mph, 9 out of 10 pedestrians are killed |
at 30 mph, 8 out of 10 pedestrians survive |
at 20 mph, 9 out of 10 pedestrians survive |
Test your limits!
See how long it takes you to stop in an emergency at different speeds with this 'stopping distances simulator'.
Please use the link below to give it a try.
Link to the 'Stopping Distances Simulator'
The quality of life in local communities
Many of us feel that walking, cycling and riding are too hazardous because of the high volume and speed of traffic on our roads today. A good example of the effect of this perception is the reluctance of parents to allow their children to walk or cycle to school for fear of them being involved in a road incident.
Such feelings of uneasiness and restriction have a negative impact on quality of life as people miss out on the enjoyment and health benefits that walking, cycling and riding can bring.
The number of speed related crashes
Inappropriate speed and misjudgement of speed and distance are factors in a significant number of crashes. A very high proportion of these would be avoided if vehicles were driven at speeds whereby they could be controlled or stopped safely.
So, how can the "Set the Pace" campaign help and benefit local communities?
The hope is that as increasing numbers of people like you make their commitment to 'Set the Pace', Cheshire's communities will begin to feel significant benefits - benefits such as...
- a reduction of the speed of vehicles travelling through your town, village or work site
- a safer environment in which to walk, cycle and ride
- a sense of community spirit as everyone works together to tackle an issue that directly affects us all
- a reduction in the frequency and / or severity of speed related road incidents and casualties in your area
- and most importantly of all, you may help to save a life - maybe even the life of someone you know
There are also a number of extra personal incentives for signing up...
Reward Scheme
Once you have signed up and made your commitment you will receive a car window sticker to display to show your support as well as to bring the campaign to the attention of others. Furthermore your details will be entered into a monthly draw where 2 people will receive a reward (e.g. shopping vouchers) as a thank you for their continued support for the initiative. There will also be chances to win extra rewards if your vehicle is spotted displaying your 'Set the Pace' car sticker.
Regular Newsletter
'Pacesetter' is our twice yearly newsletter (spring/summer and autumn/winter) containing all the latest on the 'Set the Pace' campaign and its successes as well as news, competitions and other items of interest about road safety to keep you up to date and informed. Copies are sent to all those signatories who wish to receive it and it can also be viewed online (see below):
So please show your commitment by signing up to the 'Set the Pace' campaign today. In doing so you will be taking a positive step towards improving the quality of life in our communities as well as making travel on our roads safer and more pleasant for everyone.
Sign up with our Online Commitment Form.
Alternatively you can request a printed copy of the form by contacting:
Road Safety Unit, Highways Service
Backford Hall, Chester
CH1 6EA
Tel: 01244 973131
Simply complete the form and pop it in the post. No need to affix a stamp; postage is pre-paid.
Help Spread the Word!
We also need local groups, organisations and businesses to promote this initiative within their communities for it to have as real and as noticeable an impact as possible. If you are a member of such a group or organisation, or you know of any that may be interested in running a local campaign, there is a Campaign Information Pack available giving support and guidance on how to go about it.
Once a group decides to run a campaign, we will provide a range of support materials free of charge. They include posters to draw attention to the campaign, an information leaflet, a commitment (sign up) form and a car sticker. A promotional display is also available on a loan basis for use at a signing up event.
Download:
Campaign Information Pack
Use the buttons to the right of this page to order the information pack and campaign kit.
Useful links:
For further details and to request a pack:
Road Safety Unit, Highways Service
Backford Hall, Chester
CH1 6EA
Tel: 01244 973131
roadsafety@cheshire.gov.uk |