POLICE are urging people to slow down on the roads and save lives, as part of a national campaign.

The campaign, being run between July 26– August 8, encourages motorists to think about their speed and to remind people to always travel within the speed limit.

West Mercia Police say speeding, as well as inappropriate speed can have a devastating impact on the safety of road users, increasing the risk of a collision and the severity of the consequences.

Over the past three years in the force area 125 people have been killed and 934 seriously injured in collisions where speeding or inappropriate use of speed is noted as a contributory factor.

Throughout the campaign West Mercia Police Road Safety team, police officers, PCSO’s, Community Speed Watch volunteers and special constables will be out and about in local communities taking part in a mixture of enforcement and educational initiatives.

Superintendent Gareth Morgan said: “Supporting this national campaign with local activities and increased enforcement is an important way of raising the issue and highlighting the dangers of speeding.

"There are many local residents in our force whose quality of life is affected by people speeding through their community and families that unfortunately know far too well the devastating consequences that speeding and collisions can lead to.

"Apart from the obvious consequences if you are involved in a collision, if prosecuted for speeding, the minimum penalty is a £100 fine and three penalty points.

"You could be disqualified from driving if you build up 12 or more penalty points within a period of three years”.