Police in Cumbria have joined a Europe-wide campaign which highlights the dangers of speeding and enforcing the law against offenders.

The campaign also coincides with an increase in the fines that courts can hand down to speeding motorists, which will come into effect from Monday.

The change is aimed at motorists who commit the most serious speeding offences.

Motorists travelling at 41mph or over in an area where the limit is 30mph could be subject to a Band B fine.

They could also receive a disqualification of between seven and 28 days or have their licence endorsed with four to six points.

Drivers doing 51mph in a 30mph zone will be subject to a Band A fine and a disqualification of between seven and 56 days - or be handed six points.

The Band B category will also apply to motorists driving between 66mph and 75mph where the limit is 50mph.

Band A fines, as well as a possible disqualification or points, will be given to those driving at 76mph and above.

The campaign, coordinated by TISPOL – European Traffic Police Network - is aimed at dangerous and irresponsible drivers.

In Cumbria, roads policing officers have been focusing their patrols on priority routes which have a high level of complaints or accidents, where speed has been a factor.

Inspector Jo Fawcett, of Cumbria police, said: “When you drive above the speed limit, do you ever give any thought to the consequences?

“The loss of your own life? The taking of someone else’s?

“Speeding can be fatal and yet drivers routinely do so without any thought for the consequences.

“Police officers, along with other our emergency service partners, are often the first on the scene of fatal road traffic collisions. We see the devastating consequences when speeding results in a horrific and avoidable crash.

“It is also our duty as police officers to go and break the news of a road traffic fatality to the family of someone who has lost their lives. It is a horrendous and heart-breaking part of the role of a police officer.

“And what of the driver responsible for that death? The driver who drove too fast, lost control but escaped with their own life. They will have to live with their actions for the rest of their life.”