SPEEDING motorists are being targeted in a five-month clampdown by police.

Operation Slowdown, which was due to be launched today in Carkeel, will see specialist road safety officers dispatched to nine different locations around Cornwall to catch motorists who ignore speed restrictions.

These locations will include at least three sites in East Cornwall.

Speeding vehicles will be pulled over by the police and the drivers given the choice of the usual fine and penalty points on their licence, or spending 15 minutes at a nearby location where they will be given an educational session on the consequences of speeding.

The initiative, which sees Devon and Cornwall Police teaming up with the Safety Camera Partnership and Cornwall Council's, comes as authorities release shocking new figures.

In 2009 in Cornwall, 23 people were killed, and 162 seriously injured in road traffic collisions.

There were also 1,497 reported collisions involving personal injury. A total of 2,088 reported being injured.

Graeme Hicks, Cornwall Council cabinet member for Transportation and Highways, said motorists in Cornwall who are intent on breaking the speed limit will be asked to consider the consequences of their speeding in a bid to make them change the way they think and drive.

"One collision is one too many and we're doing everything we can to make our roads safer," Mr Hicks said.

"This is a really powerful scheme that will make people who are caught speeding think very hard about what they are doing."

Chris Billing, Cornwall Council road safety officer, said: "The consequences of speeding, and possibly being involved in a collision, have far reaching consequences on the driver's family, friends, and the community at large.

"We ask that people drive responsibly and think of everyone else who will be affected by their actions."

Pc Dave Trout, Devon and Cornwall Constabulary road casualty reduction officer, described speeding as being "anti-social".

"The sooner more motorists realise that and slow down to an appropriate speed, the safer our roads will be," he added.

Operation Slowdown follows a campaign by the county's council and police last November when police mounted a 20-minute seatbelt check at Saltash.net Community College.