THE UK's top traffic police officer has called for a policy of zero tolerance towards motorists who break the 30mph limit. Assistant Chief Constable Paul Manning says that with 70% of motorists speeding in urban areas, the risk of injury and death to pedestrians, particularly children, is too great.

He said: 'People are seven times more likely to die in road traffic accidents than be murdered, so speeding should be taken more seriously. I would like to see this year's all-time low for road deaths of 3,500 cut by a further 10% - one life a day - by putting more emphasis on speeding.

New detection equipment is so accurate that enforcement should be tightened. At present the police will only stop drivers doing more than 35mph to allow for a margin of error in equipment, but this is no longer necessary and should end.'