In 2018, 568 people were killed or seriously injured on Lincolnshire's roads...speed was a factor in 142 of these cases.

That's why this month (Aug) Lincolnshire Police is focusing on speed and setting out why there are some county-specific factors road users need to consider when hitting the accelerator.

Supt Paul Timmins said: "The unique make-up of our county means we need to adapt our speed according to circumstances.

"We have lots of A and B roads, sharp bends and vehicles of varying speeds sharing the roads.

"It's a rural county and agricultural traffic is inevitable and essential.

"How drivers respond to this is a choice. Choose speed and you endanger yourself, your passengers and other road users. Slow down and enjoy the rural scenery.

"Be patient, allow extra time for a journey and don't get frustrated.

"This is Lincolnshire, our roads are a challenge and our drivers need to raise their game accordingly."

Speeding is one of the #fatal4 - along with seatbelts, phones and drink/drug driving - and therefore part of the force's year-round focus on road safety.

Lincolnshire Police launched its Safer Roads Team in 2018 and, in just one year, officers dealt with 490 speeding offences - by far the most common #fatal4 issue they tackle.

The force is also supported by Community Speed Watch and speed cameras across the county.

So if speeding doesn't lead to a collision, it may well lead to a fine, or worse.

"It's not that we want to catch you speeding. On the contrary, our aim is to have all drivers adhering to the limits and driving to the conditions. We would be delighted to catch no one.

"That's why we are launching this 'warning' phase of our campaign today (Tues) ahead of next week's 'action and enforcement' phase.

"In a quarter of collisions where people were killed or seriously injured on our roads, speed was a factor.

"There are people who would be alive today if it weren't for a speeding motorist. There are people would not have to deal with life changing injuries if it weren't for a speeding motorist.

"Don't let that motorist be you. Speeding is anti-social, dangerous and we won't accept it in Lincolnshire," added Supt Timmins.

While this week the force is focusing on communication and engagement on speed, the following two weeks we will be about enforcement.

In a united effort against speeding, officers will be proactively speed-checking across the whole of the county.

Supt Timmins said: "You've been warned.

"We know that our communities want us to tackle speeding and it's essential that we reduce the number of killed and seriously injured on our roads.

Curb your speed, or face a fine, or worse."