SENIOR police officers in Cumbria say they are determined to catch and punish speeders, whose driving puts other road users at risk.

“Vehicles that are travelling at excessive speed through areas with limits are completely unacceptable,” said Sergeant Lee Hill, of Cumbria Police Mobile Support Group.

“If individuals are caught speeding they can expect to be reported for the offence and those travelling at excessive speeds will result in prosecution through the courts.

“We work with the Camera Safety Partnership to target problem areas which are highlighted in meetings of Cumbria Road Safety Partnership. There is also casualty reduction officer in each area who will look at initiatives where excess speed is causing collisions that we can target.

“A speed limit on a road is just that – a limit. It is not a target to be reached. This is particularly true on our county roads, many of which are country roads and particularly at this time of year are busier than ever with vulnerable road users, such as cyclists, walkers, horse riders and farmers with livestock. Drivers need to give themselves time react to what could be round the next bend or coming in the other direction.

“We see the tragic consequences of people driving too fast and it is our officers who have to deliver the terrible news to families.

“A small amount of restraint and consideration, from all road users for each other, could be the key to reducing life changing incidents on our roads.”

The road safety charity Brake says that every day five children and 20 adults are killed or seriously injured while walking or cycling on UK roads.

“Speed is a critical factor in all road crashes and casualties,” says the charity. “Reducing traffic speeds is crucial to road safety. It has been estimated that for every 1mph reduction in average speeds on urban streets, crash rates fall by an average of six per cent.

“If [drivers] they can’t stop in time, they will hit with greater impact, increasing the chances of causing serious injury or death.”

n Brad Hudson, 24, of High Moor Road, Moresby Parks, Whitehaven, has admitted driving on the A595 Distington bypass at 128mph on May 25. Magistrates will consider whether to ban him at a hearing in Carlisle on January 17.