Watchman is an innovative new traffic calming system developed as a collaborative venture between Tameside Metropolitan Borough Council and Leerose Systems Ltd. The system aims to reduce the speed of traffic over a large area of the road network and aims to educate drivers rather than penalise them. Trials have been conducted in the Longdendale area of the borough. Over the first year of operation, casualties were cut by 30%, collisions by 48% and there were no fatalities. Watchman deters speeding using a combination of vehicle activated signs and cameras. The cameras capture a vehicle's number plate along with details of speed, time and date. Warning letters may be sent to drivers suggesting that they should change their driving style and drive more slowly. The system incorporates the REG technology developed by Derwent. Tameside Council began the scheme in 2001. Live and recorded video images can be accessed without having to physically visit the camera unit.
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