SHOCK tactics were used to curb speeding drivers in a North Yorkshire market town yesterday.

Operation Siren targeted motorists in Easingwold.

Speeding drivers were stopped by police and given a choice - accept a £60 fixed penalty notice and three points on their licence, or spend 20 minutes being educated on the dangers of bad driving.

Motorists who chose the second option watched a film on road accidents.

The operation was co-ordinated by members of Hambleton Community Safety Partnership.

A total of 25 motorists were stopped.

One driver, travelling at 18mph above the 30mph speed limit, was not given the chance to escape the fine.

Another motorist was taken off the road after failing an eyesight test.

The rest chose to watch the video and receive a talk by emergency workers.

Sergeant John Clayton, from Thirsk road policing unit, said motorists were driving too fast in the thick fog.

He said: "The drivers watched a video showing vehicles after they had been in a collision and were told about the injuries of those involved.

"The day was a big success and may be rolled out in other areas."

Easingwold was selected for the five-hour operation because figures showed the town was an accident blackspot. There have been 13 fatal accidents in the area so far this year. Last year, there were 25 fatalities.

"On average, ten people die on Britain's roads every day," said Hambleton Community Safety Partnership officer, Simon Gibson, group manager for North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service.

"Speeding is by far the biggest cause of those deaths, either by driving too fast for the road conditions or by exceeding the speed limit.

"Through Operation Siren, we hope to have informed drivers of the harsh realities of speeding and its effect, not only on the driver, but, more importantly, on others.

"Speeding is inconsiderate driving and contributes to the thousands of road accidents every year.

"The drain on the emergency services to attend these incidents is enormous and can take us away from other serious incidents."