DRIVERS are continuing to flout the law with motoring offences soaring by nearly 25% in a year - despite a major road safety crackdown by Suffolk police.

DRIVERS are continuing to flout the law with motoring offences soaring by nearly 25% in a year - despite a major road safety crackdown by Suffolk police.

A top Suffolk police officer called the new figures “extremely disappointing” and vowed to target drivers who continue to put lives at risk.

The number of motorists issued with fixed penalty notices rose by more than 2,000 from 2006 to 2007, with nearly 1,000 more caught for not wearing a seatbelt - an increase of nearly 28%.

Those caught for speeding increased by 22% from 4,122 to 5,011 and those given a fixed penalty notice for using a mobile phone or other hand held device went up by 457 or 18%.

In March 2007, Suffolk police launched a high-profile road-safety campaign to target those not wearing seatbelts, those travelling at excess speed, those who drink or drug-drive and those who use their mobile phones or other hand-held devices while driving.

Chief Inspector Martin Barnes-Smith, head of Suffolk Constabulary's roads policing unit, told of his dismay at the increases.

He said: “The figures released are extremely disappointing, these motorists who continue to break the law are not only putting their lives at risk but also the lives of other law abiding citizens.

“The harsh reality is that whilst there are still motorists out there who ignore our advice and ignore the law, people will continue to die.

“In 2008, we will continue to target these drivers and those who are caught could face anything from a fine to imprisonment.”

Rachel Burr, campaigns officer for Brake, the road safety charity, said the figures were “shocking”.

“It is shocking that drivers still are not getting the message and are continuing to break the law by speeding, not wearing a seatbelt and using a mobile phone while driving in East Anglia.

“It's time people woke up to the fact that all of these crimes can kill. Drivers need to wake up to the dangers they face on the road and take the very simply steps of belting up, shutting up and slowing down while driving.”

SUFFOLK MOTORING OFFENCES

20062007Rise

Speeding 4,1225,01121.5%

Failure to wear a seatbelt3,4804,44627.7%

Using a mobile phone2,5763,03317.7%

Total10,17812,49022.7%