POLICE have launched a two-phase operation in a bid to remind drivers to obey the speed limits as lockdown restrictions start to be relaxed.

As travel restrictions start to ease, inevitably there will be more traffic on the roads.

And forces across the UK have started sharing messages across social media this week encouraging drivers to slow down and save lives in addition to normal speed enforcement work as part of phase one.

Phase two begins next Monday, May 25, when police will step up speed enforcement for the next two weeks on roads where speeding is know to be an issue or there is a history of serious collisions.

Ainsworth Lane in Bolton is one of the roads that has been plagued by speeding motorists.

That road is one of a number in the area that the Tonge Fold Neighbourhood Watch have been monitoring for more than a year.

Last week, one driver was clocked driving 74mph, despite the limit being 20mph.

The National Police Chiefs' Council, which is launching the operation, said figures show that on average 17 people are killed and 126 are seriously injured every month in the UK, where speeding is believed to have been a significant factor.

Chief Constable Anthony Bangham, roads policing lead for NPCC, said: “With the gradual move out of lockdown and with traffic volumes starting to increase, this national operation is an important way of highlighting the dangers of speeding, particularly when so many people have not been out on the roads for quite some time.

“Unsurprisingly, the lockdown saw very quiet roads. Many forces reported increased speeding in a general sense and some forces reported instances of very excessive speeding.

"It is also of particular note that we have seen an increase in pedal cyclists at this time, many of whom may be unfamiliar with busier roads. Pedestrians and runners have also got used to empty roads.

“Put this together with better weather, lighter evenings, motorcyclists itching to ride out across our country roads and you have the concerning combination of factors for a significant increase in people being killed or seriously injured. I am determined for this not to be the case.”

Police want to remind motorists of the devastating impact speeding can have, not only increasing the risk of a collision but the severity of the impact at higher speeds.

At 30mph, vehicles are travelling at 44 feet or about 3 car lengths each second. Even in good conditions, the difference in stopping distance between 30 mph and 35 mph is an extra 21 feet or 6.4 metres, more than 2 car lengths, this could make all the difference in avoiding a collision.

The distance required to stop safely, significantly increased at higher speeds.

Chief Constable Bangham added: “Speeding kills, and driving within the speed limits makes our roads safer. Please slow down and save lives.”