When I volunteered to join the Endmoor Speed Watch team I expected to record a few speeding motorists. To say that I have been appalled by what I have witnessed is an understatement and I have to conclude that the standard of driving is now generally very poor and at times very dangerous.

Only a handful of drivers observe the legal maximum of 30 mph on the A65 through the village. Some are not only speeding but are using their mobile ‘phones as they do so.

Some have their eyes cast down possibly texting or looking up a number. I have seen two drivers pouring drinks into cups from flasks and watched helplessly as a van strayed over the central line into the path of on-coming traffic. As the driver returned his gaze to the road ahead the van swerved away violently and hit the nearside kerb!

Thankfully I have never suffered the horror of losing a loved one in a road accident. However, I have worked in major trauma centres and have seen the devastating consequences caused to pedestrians, many of them children, as the result of drivers simply going too fast.

Children run out in front of traffic. That is a fact of life and is surely one of the reasons speed limits exist.

Even today we recorded a 4x4 travelling at 42mph which hit a cat a little further along the road. One of our team members has had two cats killed in the village by speeding motorists. It is possible that these tragedies could have been prevented had the speed limit been observed. Sadly in none of these incidents did the drivers have the decency to stop to see the damage they had caused.

I and other members have been called vigilantes, been subjected to verbal abuse and vulgar hand gestures.

A few months on these have become fewer and have been replaced by friendly toots, waves and thumbs up. At least some drivers must think our efforts are worthwhile.

Unfortunately others continue to flout the law and drive at excessive speeds. If only they would realise that the vehicle under their command could become a lethal weapon at any second if not driven appropriately.

Helen Morton

Endmoor