WEST Mercia Police are urging all motorists to stay safe and slow down on the eve of next week’s national speed enforcement campaign.
The campaign runs from January 14-27 to aims to encourage drivers to think about their speed and to always travel within the limit.
It is estimated that across Europe speeding contributes to as many as one third of all collisions resulting in fatality and is the most important contributory factor in road deaths.
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.
During the last three years in the West Mercia area 123 people have been killed and 929 seriously injured in collisions where speeding or inappropriate speed was a contributory factor.
Throughout the campaign officers and community speed watch volunteers will be out and about taking part in a mixture of enforcement and educational initiatives.
Roads Policing Inspector Adrian Davis said: “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.
“In addition families across West Mercia unfortunately know far too well the devastating consequences that speeding and collisions can lead to.
“Apart from the obvious consequences if you are involved in a collision, if prosecuted for speeding, the minimum penalty is a £100 fine and 3 penalty points.
“You could be disqualified from driving if you build up 12 or more penalty points within a period of 3 years.”
