MORE than 2,200 drivers were caught speeding on roads in Greater Manchester in the space of two weeks as part of a national crackdown.

Greater Manchester Police (GMP) clocked 2,240 people behind the wheel going above the limit in that period - an average of 160 a day.

It was part of a National Police Chiefs' Council campaign to target irresponsible and dangerous drivers to reduce the number of crashes.

The campaign comes at a time when reports of speeding across Bolton is rife.

The Tonge Fold Neighbourhood Watch regularly clocks reckless drivers flouting the law with speeds of up to 74mph recorded on Ainsworth Lane, which has a 20mph limit.

But there are other hotspots such as Wigan Road, Hulton Lane, Chorley New Road in Horwich and Highfield Road in Farnworth which attract speeding motorists.

Blackburn Road in Egerton, Bury Road and Milnthorpe Road in Breightmet have witnesses problems too.

The Bolton News:

Speaking about the campaign, GMP Chief Inspector Matt Bailey-Smith said: “Despite the current situation, we are continuing to crackdown on speeding drivers and are actively looking for anyone speeding in order to reduce the number of speeding-related incidents that take place on the road.

“The dangers of drink and drug driving are well-known, however many drivers forget the dangers of speeding.

"In 2018, 177 people were killed in crashes involving someone exceeding the speed limit and a further 137 people died when someone was travelling too fast for the conditions.

“Speed limits are enforced to protect you and other road users and these should be respected.”

The Bolton News:

Officers from GMP’s Safer Transport Team including deployments across the Roads Policing Unit, Transport Unit and Central Ticket Office have also been informing drivers of the risks of speeding to themselves and other road users.

The last Speed Enforcement Campaign took place in August 2019 where just over 2,000 speeding motorists were caught during the two-week long campaign.

As well as increasing the risk of being involved in a crash, the police force also want people to know that driving at excessive speeds heightens the chances of driver errors such as driving too close, or driving while tired or distracted.