A motorist was caught doing more than 70mph in a 20mph zone as a councillor turned to technology to help crack down on speeding near a primary school.

Councillor Elaine Hills, who represents Hanover and Elm Grove ward on Brighton and Hove City Council, said residents had expressed concern about the speed cars drive along the road past Elm Grove Primary School, with some collisions close to the school reported.

In order to raise awareness of the problem, the councillor and her husband created a bot that anonymously tracks the speed of vehicles and reports when a vehicle has exceeded the speed limit in a post on Twitter.

The account, @ElmGroveSpeed, caught one vehicle travelling at 71mph in the 20mph zone at just after 8am - around the time many children would be going to school.

Cllr Hills said: “I’ve been shocked at some of the speeds. The bot is showing that many cars are speeding along at between 30mph and 40mph and that is extremely concerning.

“The 20mph speed limit isn’t arbitrary - it is there to keep people safe.

“Survivability, when a person is hit at 20mph, is seven to ten times higher than at 30mph and stopping distances are halved, so it’s easier to avoid collisions.

“We need people to understand that 20mph is a maximum speed and to take responsibility for themselves and others by sticking to it.”

Cllr Hills said that she would like to see police install speed cameras along the road to deter such behaviour.

She said: “Dealing with speeding is a police matter, but by providing data I could prove the need for measures to reduce speeding in the area.

“I’d really like to see a 20mph average speed camera on the stretch, as the threat of being caught is the best way to get drivers to slow down.

“These cameras are fairly new - the police have only installed one average speed camera in the city so far, and none as yet with a 20mph speed limit, but I have started talks with Sussex Police about having them installed on this stretch of road.”

The Argus: Motorists have been tracked speeding at more than double the speed limit near the school in Elm Grove: credit - Google MapsMotorists have been tracked speeding at more than double the speed limit near the school in Elm Grove: credit - Google Maps (Image: Google Maps)

It comes as the council put forward proposals as part of the Hanover and Tarner Liveable Neighbourhood project, which include installing speed indicators and improving pedestrian crossings.

Cllr Hills called on drivers and residents to report any antisocial driving to police via Operation Crackdown.

Sussex Police have been contacted for comment.