Driving's 'deadly mix' targeted

Rural roads throughout the force area will be targeted

A police campaign to tackle the "deadly mix" of drivers speeding on country roads has got under way.

Lothian and Borders Police are paying particular attention to young motorists during the initiative, which runs throughout the force area until Monday.

There were 43 fatalities on roads in their region last year - 18 involving drivers aged between 17 and 25.

Police said they would also be focusing on people using their mobile phones at the wheel or failing to wear seatbelts.

The initiative will see officers on patrol throughout the Lothians and Scottish Borders, paying particular attention to rural routes.

In addition, mobile speed cameras will be deployed in various locations across the force area.

'Tragic consequences'

Supt Alan Duncan said: "We want to warn all drivers that speed and country roads are a deadly mix.

"But we particularly want to make sure that young and inexperienced drivers get this message loud and clear."

He said statistics showed that a large proportion of fatal accidents involved motorists in their teens or early 20s.

Many of them took place on country roads where "inappropriate speed for the road or road conditions" had been a factor.

"It is vital that we get the message across that driving at inappropriate speeds on country roads can very well lead to tragic consequences," he said.