BACKParish Council Guide to Speed Indicator Devices
12th November 2025
Parish Council VAS Guide – How to implement Speed Reduction Initiatives using LED Speed Indicator Devices
Vehicles speeding through rural and residential areas remains one of the biggest safety concerns for parish and town councils across the UK. A common issue is that motorists enter and leave villages from faster roads and do not alter their speed accordingly. Other times drivers simply may not notice that they are speeding.
Providing a visual reminder to prompt drivers into correcting their speed is a proven method of speed reduction. An effective way to tackle this issue is through the usage of Vehicle Activated Speed (VAS) signs, also known as LED Speed Indicator Devices.
Thinking about installing LED traffic signs to reduce speeding in your local parish but not quite sure where to start?
In this post, we’ll summarise the key steps parish councils should follow when planning a VAS installation.
For more detailed expert advice on your LED traffic signage project, let Messagemaker Displays be your trusted partner for information and guidance. We have over 25 years’ experience in LED displays with key knowledge of LED traffic signage use in the UK Highways industry.
Identifying a Speeding Issue
Before installing a VAS sign, your parish council should gather evidence of a speeding problem. The most common method is analysing the 85th percentile speed – this is the highest speed that 85% of vehicles travel at or under in free flowing conditions.
The top 15% of drivers are discounted from the results as they are unlikely to display usual patterns of driving behaviour and may pay little regard to safety enforcement measures.
For example, if you record the speeds of 100 vehicles driving along a given road, the top 15 are discounted, leaving the 85th highest speed to be the 85th percentile.
85th Percentile Guidance Table
Vehicle Activated Speed signage can only be deployed on roads that are subject to 20, 30 and 40 mph speed limits. Enforcement activities on roads with higher speed limits remains solely within the remit of the Police.
It is recommended that Parish and Town Councils regularly review speed data no less than every six months. Regular reviews allow for new sites and other changes to be taken into consideration as part of a wider traffic management strategy.
Understand Planning Permission Requirements
LED speed signs are considered an overt speed reduction method, as they are clearly visible to passing motorists and have a direct impact on all road users passing them when deployed. As such, the installation and management of them requires planning consent from your local highways authority.
While Parish Councils do have certain powers to install VAS and similar traffic signage, they must obtain prior approval from their local authority under Section 72 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984.
Each local authority has their own processes and requirements, please check your local county council’s website for details.
Here are some links to local council websites:
Please note: Messagemaker Displays can provide the technical information in regard to the signage but cannot submit a planning application on your behalf.
Choosing the Right VAS Sign for Your Parish
The Department for Transport’s Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2016 (TSRGD) makes clear that all electronic traffic signs must be officially approved before being placed on or near a highway.
Permanent LED Traffic signs must follow strict rules under TSRGD. They must be either:
- Already listed within TSRGD, or
- Formally approved for special use by the Department for Transport
Temporary VAS Signage
As a general rule of thumb, temporary speed reduction signs can be deployed for 2-8 weeks. It is recommended that the signs are not redeployed in the same place until a minimum time of 4 weeks has elapsed to maintain effectiveness.
The core 3 products offered by Messagemaker Displays for use by Parish Councils are the Speed Indicator Device (SID), Smiley Activated Message (SAM) and the Speed Limit Reminder (SLR). Each device is fitted with a small radar device that identifies approaching vehicles and measures the speed at which they are travelling
SID – Speed Indicator Device
Measures and displays the speed of approaching vehicles in real-time, accompanied by a “SLOW DOWN” message.
SAM – Smiley Activated Message
Displays a driver’s exact speed and uses green and red smiley faces to reward or warn drivers; ideal near schools.
SLR– Speed Limit Reminder
Displays a clear and visible speed limit symbol in a red roundel, alongside a prominent “SLOW DOWN” message.
Permanent VAS Signage
If you are looking to implement a long-term or permanent solution for speed reduction on a public road, you will need to purchase and install a TSRGD-compliant VAS sign. Messagemaker Displays offer a range of TSRGD-compliant signs for long term use.
Power Options
There are 3 power options available when purchasing a sign from Messagemaker Displays – Mains, Battery and Solar.
Mains Powered – Mains Powered speed signs utilise the power grid to keep the sign running
Pros:
- Low maintenance
- Secure and permanent
- Suited for private roads
Cons:
- Requires a qualified highways technician for installation
- Makes relocation of signage difficult
Battery Powered – Battery-powered speed signs provide a more mobile solution to speeding in your area
Pros:
- Quick installation
- Allows for easy re-location of the sign
Cons:
- Requires regular battery changes
Solar Powered – The Solar power option enables speed signs to operate using renewable energy
Pros:
- Minimal battery changes required
- Eco-friendly way to power
- Suited for remote areas
Cons:
- Requires a suitable location for sunlight absorption
- Generated solar power will be reduced during the winter months
Collecting Traffic Data
A key component in measuring the effectiveness of your speed reduction initiative is via capturing vehicle speed data during the deployment of your VAS unit(s). Additionally, this information can optimise traffic management strategies, identify high-risk areas, and develop targeted interventions to enhance road safety.
In Messagemaker Displays VAS units, data can be collected via Micro USB, nearby Bluetooth connection or fully remotely via a 4G modem.
Please note: the data gathered from a VAS unit cannot be used to prosecute speeding motorists as the radar within the unit is designed to only record vehicle speeds.
A couple of Frequently Asked Questions
Does Messagemaker Displays offer Installation?
A: Installation is not something that is offered by Messagemaker Displays. This is because we have designed our VAS signs for ease of installation, so they can be installed by anyone.
If you are purchasing a mains powered device or otherwise cannot install the device yourself, please contact your local council/highways team to request assistance.
Can I change the speed settings on the VAS signs?
A: Yes. While the technicians here at Messagemaker HQ will pre-set the appropriate trigger speeds on your sign before dispatch, we understand that sometimes speed requirements change.
If the speed limit of the road changes or the VAS device is moved to a new location with a different speed limit the trigger speed can be changed. Please refer to the VAS Sign Manual for guidance.
