[04
MAY 00] WARWICKSHIRE CONSTABULARY NEWS
Speeding Motorway Drivers Told To Slow Down
Drivers
speeding on motorways in Coventry and Warwickshire are being targeted
in a road safety campaign involving six police forces.
Speed
lasers and video-equipped patrol cars will be used in a month-long
campaign to stop people going too fast in the region.
The
initiative has been launched because many motorway accidents are
caused by motorists travelling too fast.
Unexpected
situations can develop in a split second, and police are concerned
that speeding drivers cannot react quickly enough.
Extra
patrols are being run on the M6, M5, M42, M40, M45, M54, M69 and M1.
Police
from the Central Motorway patrol group, which covers the West Midlands
area, are involved in the initiative, which is being spearheaded by
Warwickshire police.
A
recent national survey suggested that 54 per cent of drivers exceed
the 70 mph limit.
Sgt
Richard Toms, of Warwickshire Police traffic department, warned
drivers that driving too fast increases the number of accidents.
He
said:
“Drivers
can be forced to react instantly to an unexpected situation such as
stationary traffic, debris or the actions of another motorist.
“If
you are travelling too fast you will not have sufficient time to
react and slow down safely.
“Officers
in both marked and unmarked patrols will be focusing on educating
and, if appropriate, prosecuting drivers who put themselves or other
motorists at risk by speeding on the motorways.
“Penalties
for exceeding the speed limit include a fine of up to £1,000,
penalty points, disqualification and compulsory re-testing.”
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