SPEEDING motorists who risk lives will be a priority for Suffolk police next week as part of an European enforcement campaign.

SPEEDING motorists who risk lives will be a priority for Suffolk police next week as part of an European enforcement campaign.

Lead by TISPOL, the European Traffic Police Network, there will be increased checks and enforcement between Monday, April 20, and Sunday, April 26.

Chief Inspector Mike Bacon from Suffolk's Roads Policing Unit, said: “Although it is an all-year round priority, we conduct speed enforcement campaigns so that we can reinforce the message that speed kills.

“We want drivers to realise that excessive speed is as dangerous as drink-driving - it is a contributory factor in a great number of collisions and even a couple of miles an hour too fast can make all the difference between having a collision or completing your journey safely.

“Speed affects the ability of a driver to react and avoid collisions.

“When driving you can be met by something unexpected at any moment and, while a collision may be unavoidable, you can greatly reduce the chances of doing serious harm if you are travelling at the speed limit designated for the road you're travelling on.

“It's a minority of drivers who feel they are above the law that place the majority of the public at risk - and it's these motorists we will be targeting throughout this campaign and beyond.”

Drivers breaking the speed limits already face a �60 fixed penalty notice and three points on their licence.

However, certain offences could see drivers taken to court where they may face larger fines and be disqualified from driving.

Next week's increased speed checks mean motorists are more likely than ever to be caught when driving at excessive speeds.

The government's 'It's 30 for a reason' advertisement campaigns continue to highlight the dangers of excessive speed. The most recent focusing on the long-term impact on a driver's life if they were to kill a child while speeding.

The TV ad shows how a man who has knocked down a child while driving too fast on a 30mph road is haunted by an image of the dead boy.

Ch Insp Bacon said: “The impact of fatal road traffic collisions, whether it's to the lives of the families and friends of the victims or the drivers involved should not be underestimated. It's something they have to live with for the rest of their lives. The simple message is slow down-speed kills.”