MOTORISTS who speed along the A31 through Ropley will soon be faced with flashing signs reminding them of the speed limits. The four-speed activated signs, to be installed by Hampshire County Council, are the result of a study by the Casualty Reduction Partnership into the 40 mph and 50 mph speed limits on the busy road. The team - made up of of engineers from Hampshire County Council and officers from Hampshire Constabulary - visited the road in the wake of a horrific car crash that killed six men. Samuel Sayer, 20, Kris Pendlebury, 21, Duncan Brown, 25, Daniel Dewhurst, 19, Rogan Smart, 19, and Ian Ledsham, 51, all lost their lives in the head-on collision on a bend close to the Chequers Inn in early September. The accident happened when a silver Peugeot 106, driven by Mr Sayer and carrying the other four young men, collided with a green Ford Focus, driven by Mr Ledsham and carrying his 18-year-old son who, luckily, escaped with two broken fingers and internal injuries. The council study found that speed activated signing, which has already been used effectively at other locations in the county, would be likely to help in advising drivers of the speed limits in force on the 40 mph and 50 mph stretches through the village. The signs - two in the 40 mph limit and another two in the 50 mph limit - should be in place shortly. Tim Knight, the county councillor responsible for the environment, said: "Speed limits are there for a reason, and we're always concerned if they don't appear to be adhered to. "Road safety is the responsibility of everyone, whether they're pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists or drivers, and these signs will act as a timely and highly visible reminder to drivers that they should slow down in this area. "The signs are activated only when drivers are exceeding the limit. We've found their selective use an effective means of encouraging a more appropriate speed at busy locations where we're especially concerned at the safety consequences on other road users." Once the signs are up and running, officers from the county council will monitor their effectiveness to see if there are any changes in driver behaviour.
