Force defends rise in speeding fines

12:30am Thursday 7th August 2008

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By Paul Cook »

A POLICE force has defended its near nine-fold rises in speeding fines during the past decade.

The Northern Echo reported yesterday that Cleveland Police had collected £1,142,640 in speeding fines in 2006.

In 1997, motorists had paid £129,560 in the force area.

A spokesman for Cleveland Police said: "In the new age of technology, we are able to detect more offences. And there is more traffic on the road."

Of the 43 forces in England and Wales, North Yorkshire was one of only three to have reduced fines during the past decade.

A spokesman said: "Road safety and law enforcement not only focuses on speeding, but on every aspect of inappropriate and dangerous driving.

"Casualty reduction and road safety is a top priority for North Yorkshire Police.

"As our ongoing road safety campaign, Operation Anvil demonstrates, we carry out numerous road safety initiatives throughout the year, including education and enforcement campaigns."

Operation Anvil has helped to reduce collisions in the county by 41 per cent during the first three months.

The operation was launched on March 18 with the aim of reducing deaths and serious injuries on the county's roads.