POLICE persuaded close to 50 speeding motorists to visit a display of the consequences of driving too fast after they were caught at the launch of a summer-long road safety campaign.

Officers said they thought the motorists took the anti-speeding message on board after the launch of Operation Pride at an accident blackspot.

The project, launched on Tuesday between 10am and 1pm in Gravel Hill, Chalfont St Peter, aims to persuade motorists who drive too fast, to slow down. The scheme will move to accident blackspots in Bucks and Oxfordshire this summer.

The exhibition included videos and still photographs of the aftermath of speeding accidents.

Thames Valley Police spokesman, Marc Sanderson, said Operation Pride is designed to make motorists feel the full impact of speeding accidents.

He said: "People seemed to take the message on board, they were very effective displays. There were some really nasty images to get the message home.

"The main thrust of the exhibition was to explain to those drivers who try to pinch the extra few miles per hour that it is not safe.

"We are trying to educate drivers about the dangers of speeding, both in terms of human and financial costs."

Ninety drivers were stopped for speeding during the three-hour period, 47 who were driving between 36mph and 41mph and the other 43 who were driving faster than 41mph.

Every motorist driving between 36mph and 41mph chose to visit the exhibition after being given the option of paying an immediate on-the-spot £40 fine. Motorists driving faster than 41mph were handed an immediate fine of

£40.

Officers say they also caught one motorist driving without insurance and recovered a stolen car.

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