Scottish neighborhood uses hairdryers to deter speeding drivers

Feb. 23 (UPI) -- Residents of a neighborhood in Scotland have armed themselves with hairdryers and reflective vests to combat speeding drivers.

People in the village of Hopeman posed as police officers using speed guns to prevent speedy drivers, who have placed residents in danger by exceeding speeds of 60 miles per hour along a stretch of road leading out of the area.

"It's very dangerous, the speed that the traffic is doing through Hopeman is quite serious, especially when the kids are going to school in the morning - it's quite alarming," Moray councilor Dennis Slater told the BBC. "This is why some of the residents have resorted to taking out hairdryers and putting on hi-vis vests to try to slow the traffic down."

Members of the neighborhood have also taken other strange measures, such as propping ladders against walls to allow children to pass between back gardens rather than cross the dangerous straightaway.

"The main worry is crossing the road. It's the main busy road through Hopeman and people just don't slow down when they enter the village," resident Carmen Gillies said. "It might all sound like a joke but these are the sorts of lengths we have to go to to make sure our children are safe."

While residents continue their police impersonation, the actual police have said they are aware of the issue and are working on a solution.

"We have had a number of complaints regarding speeding in Hopeman, which we will continue to address," Lossiemouth police Constable Roy Cook said. "Offenders will be dealt with by either warnings, the offer of a fixed penalty or a report to the Procurator Fiscal."