PEOPLE in County Durham are being given the chance to comment on a scheme to tackle speeding drivers.

The draft County Durham and Darlington speed management strategy, which will run for five years, is the result of consultation between the police, county council, Darlington Borough Council, Highways Agency, fire and rescue and ambulance services and primary care trusts.

Maxine Stubbs, the Durham force's traffic management officer, said: "The point of the strategy is to work towards creating safer communities and to achieve the Government's targets in relation to reducing casualties."

The strategy focuses enforcement, driver education and road engineering.

Chief Inspector Tim Wilson, of the force's operational support department, said: "The police will be backing local and national publicity campaigns about speeding and will educate motorists about speed awareness.

"With regard to enforcement, we will be using intelligence to identify areas where speed is a problem, target them and deal appropriately with those who have broken the law."

People have until Monday, June 4, to comment on the websites www.durham.gov.uk and www.darlington.gov.uk.