Speeding motorists in the Cupar area could find themselves being clocked by one of a new team of civilian volunteers.
Fife Constabulary has launched the Community Speed Watch scheme, which sees members of the public armed with radar speed guns.
Being caught by a volunteer while driving faster than the speed limit will not lead to prosecution.
But volunteers will hand over vehicle details to police who will then write to the vehicle owner.
It is hoped that the scheme, which is being piloted in the Cupar council ward for the next three months, will encourage motorists to drive at an appropriate speed and improve road safety.
The force’s road policing department deputy head Inspector Brenda Sinclair said, “Community Speed Watch takes speed detection activity into local built-up areas and involves residents in the solution to local problems voiced at police community engagement meetings.
“The initiative will enhance what is being done by the police and others to reduce road casualties in Fife by providing a visible presence in hot-spot areas, as part of the wider response to speeding drivers.”
The initiative is being driven by local communities and the police and has the support of Cupar councillors Roger Guy, Bryan Poole and Margaret Kennedy, who have helped with its planning and introduction.
They said that speed was an issue raised time and again at community council meetings and that the idea of using Community Speed Watch locally was put forward by Cults and Pitlessie Community Council.
Volunteers including Mr Guy have been trained in using radar speed detection devices and recording details.EnforcementInspector Sinclair said, “At the discretion of Fife Constabulary registered keepers of vehicles driving over the speed limits will be sent an advisory letter and a leaflet explaining the scheme.
“The volunteers do not have any enforcement powers. However there may be incidents reported that require police intervention.”
Mr Guy said training for volunteers was very thorough.
He added, “The objective is not to form teams of local busybodies but to try to encourage people to drive within the limits of the law so that our communities are made safer.”
The scheme has been successful in other areas, but this is the first time it has been tried in Fife.
A similar initiative undertaken by Strathclyde Police in Milton of Campsie in 2003 was said to have been accompanied by a 64% reduction in the number of speed-related offences.
After the three months the impact in the Cupar area will be evaluated.