Wheelie bin posters to warn speeding drivers

POLICE in Fife are trialing a novel approach to remind drivers of the dangers of speeding through one of the region’s most tranquil villages.

Police Scotland’s east safety camera unit is putting posters on wheelie bins to serve as a warning to drivers to slow down on the route between St Andrews and Cupar at Dairsie.

The village sits on the main A91, and although only home to a few hundred people, locals have complained about the speed of motorists, with many drivers said to be going well in excess of the 30mph limit. The wheelie bin scheme has already been tried in the Scottish Borders and Stirlingshire and has been deemed a success.

Inspector Vinnie Fisher, safety camera manager with the unit, hopes bringing the tactic to Dairsie will see a noticeable drop in driver speeds.

“We regularly deploy our camera van on the A91 but unfortunately we can’t be there 24/7,” he said.

“The poster initiative will provide a visual reminder to drivers on refuse collection days of the dangers and likely outcomes of excessive speed.

“It is a novel approach which, as well as the positive comments from our other trials in the Scottish Borders and Stirlingshire, has previously had success in England and Wales.

“The local community council is fully supportive, as is Fife Council, which has responsibility for the road.

“We will have a team of camera unit staff and local community constable Kevin Adam fixing the posters to residents’ wheelie bins. We will evaluate it later in the year based on known speed profiles.”