DRIVERS in Merseyside will be asked to slow down in October, as police and road safety officers from across the country launch a campaign to raise awareness of the dangers of speeding.

Merseyside Police and road safety officers from the five Merseyside Local Authorities will be joining forces for the education campaign, which will also involve greater police enforcement of speed limits.

The initiative, running until Sunday October 17 forms part of the Government's national "Think! Slow Down" campaign.

Speaking on behalf of all of the local authority partners, Councillor Terry Shields, St Helens Council's Executive Member for Environmental Protection, said: "We are pleased to be involved with this initiative which will make our roads safer for everyone by alerting motorists to the dangers of speeding. Every driver can make a difference just by slowing down a few miles per hour and observing speed limits". Inspector Dave Bell of the Merseyside Police Traffic Department said: "Speeding is by far the biggest cause of death and injury on our roads and drivers should be aware that even a small difference in speed could have a drastic effect on their stopping distance.

"This campaign aims to make the roads of Merseyside safer for everyone, and reduce the number of people killed or injured. I would ask everyone driving in Merseyside to make sure that you check the speed limit on the road you're using, and to remember that speed limits are maximum, and not a 'recommendation'. Everyone knows that road conditions can be unpredictable - so stay alert, and check your speed at regular intervals".

In addition to road safety officers across Merseyside working locally to raise awareness about the dangers of speeding with drivers, Merseyside Police patrols will be extra vigilant in the enforcement of speeding offences on roads throughout the region, including motorways.