Ernie Clark. Hilperton Division, Wiltshire Council.

SID stands for Speed Indicator Device.

These are the flashing signs which tell you if you're driving over the speed limit.

Wiltshire Council is to allow each of the 18 area boards in the county to have one. The council has also set the criteria defining where and how they can be used.

As they lose effectiveness if left in the same place for too long the signs will stay for two weeks in any one site. They'll complement the Community Speedwatch (CSW) scheme.

To establish a system of priority, sites with an accident record will be given points - 5 points for a fatality or serious injury, one point for a minor injury. Eleven points gets you a SID. The measured traffic speeds are also taken into account. Sites without an accident record, but where local people and the parish council are concerned about speeding, could also get a sign but would be a lower priority.

If an area has so many problem roads that the SID rationing system can't cope, then communities would have the option of buying their own SID, but WC would still be involved in telling them where it could be used.