People in rural Leicestershire have become the latest to trial a new kind of speed reduction scheme, which could be made available to more local communities.
The Community Speed Watch programme allows residents to monitor their local roads with a hand-held speed camera or speed-activated warning sign.
Motorists caught speeding cannot be prosecuted, but are set to receive a letter from police.
The project is backed by Leicestershire County Council and the Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland Road Safety Partnership. Both groups hope that a successful trial will lead to parish councils buying their own warning signs for local use.
"County funding for schemes to reduce vehicle speeds is prioritised towards communities experiencing the worst problems," said Leicestershire County Councillor Lesley Pendleton. "As a result many requests either fall below the criteria for further investigation or have to wait several years before money becomes available."
However, Phillip Gomm of the RAC Foundation told Admiral News that while the attitude of the Leicestershire residents was commendable, the work of enforcing the rules of the road should lie with the proper authorities.
"Private citizens armed with radar guns are not a substitute for police officers," he said. "If irresponsible motorists break the law, then there must be the official measures in place to catch and punish them.
"What is the point of having a law without proper enforcement?"
