More than 300 people died in road accidents and more than half of all crashes occurred on urban roads with a speed limit of 30mph.

Throughout the campaign, police will be targeting known speeding hotspots and roads which are prominent crash sites.

Roads where speed has been a major factor in crashes have been identified and will be patrolled by officers using equipment like hand-held radar, remote enforcement cameras and roadside radar.

Research has shown a reduction in speed of just 1mph could save seven lives per year and prevent as many as 450 injuries.

A pedestrian struck by a car travelling at 35mph is twice as likely to die as one hit by a driver observing the speed limit but surveys have shown that 70% of drivers regularly exceed the 30mph limit by more than 5mph.

As part of the campaign, Tuesday has been declared national "No Speeding Day".