Warning to drivers as kill your speed campaign is launched (From Warrington Guardian)

Warning to drivers as kill your speed campaign is launched

WARRINGTON police are urging motorists in the region to kill their speed, in support of the nationwide safety drive which was launched on Tuesday.

The £3.5 million campaign will run throughout February and is aimed at cutting the number of deaths and injuries on the road by encouraging drivers to lower their speed and allow more time for their journeys.

During 1998 there were a total of 1,067 road accidents in the Warrington area resulting in injury or death. 123 were classified as serious, 939 involved slight injuries and five were fatal.

This was a disappointing 32 per cent rise on the previous year's figures.

Speed is the single biggest cause of road accidents, according to research by the Transport Research Laboratory, and the campaign is targeted in particular at residential and built up areas.

Sgt Hayes, of Warrington Police, said: "Any reduction of speed is going to aid road safety, without doubt. We're going to ask drivers to consider other road users and pedestrians and make more time for your journey."

Warrington Police will be paying attention to known trouble spots as well as areas brought to their attention by parish councillors and the public. They will be using all the speed equipment available to them, including some new technology for testing and recording speeding motorists.

There will be on the spot fines of at least £40 for a minor infringement.

Sgt Hayes added: "You can put as much effort in as possible, but if the driver continues to drive badly there will continue to be accidents."

Cheshire County Council road safety officer, John Moss, said: "When you get behind the wheel, remember the terrible consequences for thousands of families every year."

Converted for the new archive on 13 March 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.