MORE than 200 people in Hampshire were caught during a day of action against speeding motorists.

Hampshire Constabulary took part in a Europe-wide speeding crackdown on Tuesday, August 19, with officers using mobile speed cameras on national speed limit roads and dual carriageways.

A total of 217 offences were captured by the officers, with 113 relating to speed offences by drivers of goods vehicles weighing under 7.5 tonnes.

They also caught on camera 89 car or motorbike speeding offences, and recorded 15 other offences, such as using a mobile phone while driving, or failing to wear a seat belt.

The force has not provided more information on the outcomes for those caught committing these offences.

As reported in The Gazette, 27 per cent of people killed in crashes last year in Hampshire, died in crashes where excess speed was listed as a contributory factor.

This was up by three per cent in 2012.

Sergeant Rob Heard said: “People need to realise it’s a speed limit and not a target so it may be more appropriate to travel at a lower speed depending on the road conditions for their own safety.

“This is particularly important when dealing with vehicles which have a restricted limit below the usual speed on these roads.

“Excessive or inappropriate speed has a singularly devastating impact on the safety of road users, increasing both the risk of a crash and the severity of the consequences.

“Hampshire Constabulary is committed to increasing road safety and will continue to target those who fail to abide by the speed limits.”