The number of people killed or seriously injured on Northamptonshire’s roads in the first four months of this year has fallen to the lowest level ever.
Officers today started an operation, which is part of a European-wide scheme, to tackle speeding motorists, with a focus on the county’s most dangerous ‘red routes’.
For the first time, police are being joined by community safety volunteers in villages across the county as part of the crackdown.
Last year’s operation, which was also part of a TISPOL European speed enforcement campaign, caught 1,119 motorists breaking the speed limit.
Superintendent Andy Cox, head of force operations, said: “For the first four months of 2013, 75 drivers have been killed or seriously injured in Northamptonshire.
“This is a decrease of 35 per cent on the same period in 2012 and the lowest for the first four months of the year ever.”
The fall comes after an alarming spike in the number of road deaths and serious injuries last year.
Supt Cox added: “As speed is so significant a contributory factor with regards to road collisions, this campaign highlights to all drivers that the possibility of being prosecuted whilst driving at excessive speed is greatly increased.”
Police and Crime Commissioner Adam Simmonds said he welcomed any operation that tackles dangerous driving.
He said: “One of my top priorities is to make our roads safer, and so I welcome any operation that will support that goal.
“Figures show that speed is one of the main factors in fatal road collisions. The risk of death is approximately four times higher when a pedestrian is hit at 40mph than at 30mph.
“I am pleased to see this crackdown on irresponsible drivers who break the law and put lives at risk.”