motorists who flout speed limits are being targeted in a new drive to slash the number of car smashes.

Drivers will be informed of their speed in a flash thanks to six portable road safety monitors which have been bought by Worcestershire County Council.

It's a big investment in road safety for the authority, which now owns more than 20 per cent of these units throughout the country. They cost £2,000 each and instantly record and display the speed of approaching vehicles.

Bromsgrove's Highways Partnership Unit will use the monitors at accident hot spots across Bromsgrove to encourage drivers to be less heavy footed on the accelerator pedal.

Town highways chief Jon Fraser said: "This equipment is going to be used around the whole of Bromsgrove, in locations where we receive frequent complaints about speeding vehicles.

"The device instantly shows motorists their actual vehicle speed which in turn increases their awareness and results in lower average speeds.

"The speed monitor will be moved around problem areas in the district on a regular basis, and I will be liaising with councillors and parish councils over the most appropriate locations."

National evidence shows that a one mph reduction in speed will result in a five per cent reduction in the number of casualties in the event of an accident.

The new equipment will also be used by the Highways Partnership to improve the safety of their workers carrying out varying traffic management and maintenance activities.