LAUNCESTON Community Cadets, together with officers from Launceston Neighbourhood Team, carried out speed checks on Western Road on Wednesday, January 11 between 7.30pm and 8.30pm.

During the hour, a total of 17 cars were stopped by officers for traveling in excess of 35mph in a 30mph area. Cadets were then able to ask the drivers a set of questions such as ‘How would you feel if you knocked me or one of my friends over?’ and ‘How do you feel now we have spoken to you?’. Some of the responses from drivers ranged from ‘gutted’ to ‘embarrassed and more aware’.

A spokeperson for Launceston Police said: “The minimum penalty for speeding is £100 fine and at least three points on your license. Speeding offences can impact insurance premiums, possibly impact on your employment and potentially cost you your license.

“If a child is hit by a car travelling at 40mph there is an 80% chance they’ll be fatally injured, if a child is hit by a car traveling at 30mph, there is an 80% chance they’ll survive. Think! 30 is 30 for a reason!”

No points or fines were issued during the session as the purpose of the session was to educate drivers and highlight the dangers of speeding.