Speeding motorists in Suffolk are to be targeted as part of a Europe-wide enforcement campaign between Monday 21 and Sunday 27 April, 2008.

Although police work with a variety of partner agencies, including Suffolk Safe Cam, throughout the year on road safety and speed enforcement, the week-long campaign aims to highlight the issue and target offenders.

Sgt Steve Knight, from Suffolk’s Roads Policing Unit, says speed limits are set for a reason.

“The rules and regulations are there to try to make our roads safer for everyone. Time after time we hear speeding motorists trying to justify themselves but the hard fact is that speed is a contributory factor in a large number of serious and fatal road traffic collisions.

“Drivers who exceed the speed limit who believe they are in control of their cars can suddenly be met by the unexpected and we have dealt with a number of crashes recently where speed has affected the ability of the driver to avoid the collision.

“By it’s very nature you cannot avoid the unexpected but you can greatly reduce the chances of doing serious harm if you are traveling at the speed limit designated for the road you’re traveling on.”

Recent advertisements have highlighted the difference between being involved in a collision with a child at 30mph and the increased likelihood of a fatality at 40mph and, as Sgt Knight says, while the reason for the limit may not be apparent to individual drivers, speeding can – and does – kill.

“The huge impact on families and friends of victims of fatal road traffic collisions – and the victims themselves in serious collisions – should not be underestimated. It’s something they have to live with for the rest of their lives – and it’s so avoidable.

“It’s a minority of drivers that feel they are above the law that place the majority of the public at risk – and it’s these motorists we will be targeting throughout this campaign and beyond.”