Sid gets upset if drivers break the speed limit

The Speed Indicator Device - or Sid as the police have named it - plays on drivers' consciences to get them to slow down.

The large panels will go up in speeding trouble spots and outside schools to remind drivers to check how fast they are going.

It does not issue speeding fines but displays the speed of approaching motorists and if they are below 30mph Sid smiles, if they are above 30mph he frowns miserably.

'Little nudge'

Sergeant Paul Masterson said: "It will never influence those drivers who do not care if they are speeding but hopefully it will give responsible drivers a nudge.

"If careful motorists have drifted off or are not thinking about their driving then Sid might give them a little nudge that makes them slow down and our roads safer again."

In the last year 87 people have died on the roads in Sussex and police hope the Sids will help to reduce that figure.

The six devices, which cost �20,000 in total, have been paid for by driving fines collected by Sussex Police over the last few months.