VALE drivers are under the watchful eye of West Mercia Police as its speeding crackdown continues.

Sgt John Roberts of the traffic and operations department said that the Appropriate Speed Campaign was going well and this year's figures would be released soon after it finishes next Tuesday.

The campaign has been launched in a bid to cut the number of people killed or injured on the roads in the force area.

On average, 10 accidents a day were caused last year because of excessive and inappropriate speeding.

Inspector Harley Griffiths, also of the traffic and operations department, said: "Accidents caused by speeding are the cause of untold misery to those who are victims and their families.

"This campaign aims to highlight the dangers of excessive speed. Unlike drinking and driving, which is now perceived as socially unacceptable, motorists of all ages regularly break the speed limit."

He added that nationally, figures from DETR showed that 70% of all drivers exceed the basic limit of 30mph, putting other road users, particularly pedestrians, at risk.

"Even at 30mph it takes 12ms, the equivalent of six car lengths, for a driver to stop safely," he said. "At 70mph, that distance is quadrupled to 96ms, 24 car lengths."

Drivers caught breaking the speed limit can expect to receive a minimum of three penalty points and a £60 fixed penalty fine.

Motorists may also face disqualification from driving.

l West Mercia Constabulary is taking part in a month-long campaign to see that motorists get their rear seat belts fitted.

Remember, Clunk Click was launched on Tuesday and the first two weeks will see police promoting awareness of the seatbelt law before enforcing it in the last fortnight. Kath Hemmings, for the Mercia local authorities road safety officers group, said: "Government studies have shown that in some places less than 50% of back seat passengers are wearing their belts.

"We are asking all car occupants to remember clunk the car door and click the seatbelt fastened, every trip.

"Drivers should refuse to set off until all their passengers are belted up."