Suffolk Police join national campaign to encourage drivers to slow down to try and curb speeding-related deaths

Police officers are encouraging drivers to slow down as part of a two-week national speed operation in an effort to curb fatalities caused by speeding.

Coordinated by the National Police Chief’s Council, the campaign was launched today (October 16) and will run until October 29, with an increased amount of checks and enforcement across the county.

Officers from the Roads and Armed Policing Team, the Road Casualty Reduction Team, Commercial Vehicle Unit and safety camera partnership will all be working together to target those who pose a danger on Suffolk’s roads.

Nearly 10 per cent of all collisions where someone was killed or seriously injured involved drivers travelling too fast for the conditions of the road.

Chief Inspector Jonathan Chapman, head of the roads and armed policing team, said: "Speeding has been proven to have devastating consequences.

“It is very easy to think that it won’t happen to you or that you are a good enough driver to avoid a collision but things can quickly be taken out of your control.

“Excess speed is one of those things that will catch you out. It is essential to drive at safe speeds in order to protect yourself and other road users – being conscious of your speed saves lives.”

The campaign aims to tackle irresponsible and dangerous drivers who choose to commit speeding offences, with officers seeking to educate those of the risks to themselves and other road users.

Motorists caught speeding will be issued with a Traffic Offence Report (TOR) and face a fine, points on their licence or even court action, and some drivers will be able to take part in a speed awareness course.

Officers will also be encouraging appropriate road speed for the conditions drivers are travelling on and sticking to the speed limit at all times.

Tim Passmore, Police and Crime Commissioner for Suffolk, said: “Speeding kills, it wrecks lives and there really is no excuse for it.

“Speed is one of the fatal four causes of serious injury or death on our roads and the thoughtless drivers who do not keep to the limit, really do need to wake up to the fact that they are not just risking their own lives, but the lives of fellow road users.

“This increased focus on enforcement has my total support – sadly, there are still too many drivers who flout the law.

“Let’s hope this increased focus on speeding helps educate that minority of drivers who drive too fast despite the obvious risks.”