UK police join forces for
national speed campaign
Motorists are being reminded to drive safely and stick to the speed limits ahead of a national speed enforcement campaign that starts next week.
Co-ordinated by the National Police Chiefs' Council, the campaign will take place between January 14 and 27 and will aim to reduce deaths and injuries on the roads.
It will encourage motorists to think about their speed and remind drivers to always travel within the posted speed limit.
It is estimated that across Europe speeding contributes to as many as one third of all collisions that result in fatality and is the most important contributory factor to road deaths.
Speeding and inappropriate speed can have a devastating impact on the safety of road users, increasing the risk of a collision and the severity of the consequences.
West Mercia Police is one of many forces taking part in the national campaign.
Over the past three years, 123 people have been killed in the county and 929 seriously injured in collisions where speeding or use of inappropriate speed has been recorded as a contributory factor.
Throughout the campaign the Safer Roads Partnership, police officers, PCSOs, special constables and community speed watch volunteers will be out and about in local communities taking part in a mixture of enforcement and educational initiatives.
Roads Policing Inspector Adrian Davis for West Mercia Police comments: "Supporting this national campaign with local activities and increased enforcement is an important way of raising the issue and highlighting the dangers of speeding.
"There are many local residents in our region whose quality of life is affected by people speeding through their community, and families across West Mercia that unfortunately know far too well the devastating consequences that speeding and collisions can lead to.
"We'd like to take the opportunity during this campaign to remind people of the consequences of speeding.
"Apart from the obvious consequences if you are involved in a collision, if prosecuted for speeding the minimum penalty is a £100 fine and three penalty points. You could be disqualified from driving if you build up 12 or more penalty points within a period of three years".
"Speeding, as well as inappropriate speed can have a devastating impact on the safety of road users, increasing the risk of a collision and the severity of the consequences."
