NEARLY 2,500 drivers were caught speeding during a joint campaign between Thames Valley and Hampshire police forces.

However, only 463 of these motorists were pulled over in Thames Valley.

The two forces, who have a joint Roads Policing Unit, held a seven-week operation to tackle speeding.

In Thames Valley, 70 per cent of the drivers caught speeding were male and the vast majority were over the age of 25.

Sergeant Rob Heard, from the 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.

“The forces experiences by the human body in a collision increase exponentially as the speed increases."

During the operation, 75 per cent of people caught speeding were travelling in 30 or 40 mph zones, which are associated with presenting more hazards to road users.

Sgt Heard added: “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.

“Nearly half of all those caught have will be offered a National Speed Awareness course as an alternative to prosecution. This approach is aimed at improving knowledge and attitudes to influence better behaviour on the roads.”

“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.”