ACCIDENT blackspots in Winsford and Middlewich are to be targeted by police in a speed crackdown this month.

The Congleton and Vale Royal Division is taking part in a county-wide speed campaign which will probably see thousands of motorists booked for breaking limits.

The clampdown on drivers has come after Cheshire Constabulary's road safety figures showed that excessive speed was a contributory factor in 41 per cent of all fatal accidents and 23 per cent of injuries in the county last year.

The aim of the campaign is to:

Increase public awareness of the risks involved to drivers and other road users by the thoughtless and irresponsible actions of the speeding motorist.

Reduce the speed of vehicles in restricted areas and to educate drivers as to the increased safety factors of reducing speeds within those areas.

Enforce the legislation in respect of speed limits by prosecuting those who do not adhere to them.

Have a calming effect on the speed of vehicles by virtue of a uniformed high-visibility presence.

Sgt Blair Wilson, of Congleton and Vale Royal Division's traffic unit, said: "All officers in the county will take part in an effort to reduce the speed of vehicles, especially those in areas where injury accidents are likely to occur.

"Various accident blackspots in Winsford and Middlewich will be targeted. This is a county corporate approach to crack down on speeding motorists."

Converted for the new archive on 13 March 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.