MORE than 2,000 people were caught speeding across Hampshire last week.

Figures released by Hampshire Constabulary have revealed that 2,470 drivers were caught speeding on the road networks across Hampshire and Thames Valley as part of a seven day enforcement operation.

According to the figures, total of 2007 people were caught speeding across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight between August 6 and 12.

Officers stopped and dealt with 162 people, 70 per cent were male and 71 per cent were over 25 years of age. The force said 75 per cent were in 30mph limits.

During the week, the police's safety camera vans caught 1845 people speeding - 815 of them were car drivers.

Forty-two per cent of them were in 30mph limits and 34 per cent were in 40mph limits.

Meanwhile, a total of 463 people were caught speeding across Thames Valley.

The force said 75 per cent of people caught speeding across Hampshire and Thames Valley during this period were travelling in 30 or 40 mph limits, which are in locations where there are often greater hazards and numbers of different road users present.

Now officers are urging people to slow down and reduce the chance of being involved in a serious collision.

Sgt Rob Heard, from the Joint Operations Roads Policing Unit, said: “Research from across Europe suggests speeding is the most important factor that contributes to road deaths and serious injuries.

“The results in the space of just one week show that too many people are putting their lives in danger on our roads.

“Excessive or inappropriate speed has an appalling impact when you’re involved in a collision.

“If you collide with a pedestrian at 30mph they have an 80 per cent chance of survival, however if you collide at 40mph then the pedestrian only has a 10 per cent chance of survival. This is why it forms one of our Fatal Four.

“Our focus on those who endanger lives on our roads is relentless through both enforcement and education."

Sgt Heard said nearly half of all those caught will have be offered a National Speed Awareness course as an alternative to prosecution.

And added: "Our message is simple, it’s not worth the risk and you massively reduce the chances of you avoiding a collision when an unexpected hazard occurs in front of you."

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