Speeding motorists are being targeted by police across Greater Manchester in an effort to reduce the fatalities and casualties caused in road accidents.
As part of a national campaign this week, traffic officers will maintain a high-profile presence on the region’s high-speed roads and well known collision hot-spots.
There were 6,200 casualties and 49 deaths in accidents last year, and Inspector John Armfield, of Greater Manchester Police’s traffic network section believes speed is one of the problems.
“Excessive speed is a factor in a third of fatal road accidents,” he said. “The greater the speed, the more severe are people’s injuries.”
Speed cameras will be used at checkpoints and by officers on vehicle patrols as GMP continues its on-going road safety initiative – ‘Operation Dice’.
And Inspector Armfield reassured road users the police would continue their intensive work during the spring and summer months to ensure all motorists observe the speed limits.
“Speeding motorists are not unique to Greater Manchester, but we are absolutely committed to dealing with them to make our roads safer,” he added.
Any motorist stopped for speeding will either face prosecution or be given the chance to complete a speed-awareness course.
Franki Hackett, campaigns officer at road safety charity Brake, welcomed the increased action from GMP and also called on the government to invest more in saving lives on our roads.
“Speeding makes crashes more likely and more serious,” she said.
“We are encouraged by Great Manchester Police’s decision to increase the deterrent to this life-threatening behaviour.
“We urge the government to encourage enforcement by providing greater investment in life-saving speed camera technology and traffic police officers to deter speeding behaviour.
“And we urge drivers to keep us all safe on roads by pledging to stay well within speed limits.”
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