POLICE in North Yorkshire have refuted the five most common 'myths' their officers hear about speeding, and the truth behind them.

The force started its If You Saw What I Saw campaign to encourage motorists to drive more safely in summer months when the number of fatal crashes in North Yorkshire typically increase.

The campaign highlights the experiences of officers and staff who have to deal with the consequences of fatal or serious crashes first hand, and will cover speeding, drink and drug driving, using a mobile phone and motorcycle safety.

Roads Policing Inspector Dave Barf said: "The effects of high-speed crashes on the human body are absolutely horrendous. I can tell you this because our teams and other emergency services witness them, close up and first hand, when they arrive at the scene of every fatal or serious injury collision.

"But that’s not where the aftermath ends. Every officer who’s had to visit the next of kin to share the devastating news that their loved one is dead remembers every moment of it. We had to have that horrible conversation with 47 families last year alone. That’s almost one a week. That’s why we’re so passionate about keeping road users in North Yorkshire safe."

Here are the five most common 'myths' North Yorkshire Police officers hear regarding speeding, and their responses to them:

MYTH 1: Speed doesn’t kill people, bad driving does.

FACT 1: Insp Barf said: "Many factors contribute to the collisions we investigate. Speed is one of them. Higher speed is directly linked to the chance of fatalities. If you’re going more slowly there’s more margin for error and more chance you’ll survive."

MYTH 2: Speeding isn't a 'real' crime.

FACT 2: "Try telling that to families of people killed on our roads," said Insp Barf. "We support them after their lives have been shattered by speed-related collisions. They think speeding is a real crime, and so do we."

MYTH 3: Going a few miles per hour over the speed limit doesn’t really matter.

FACT 3: Insp Barf said: "If you hit a pedestrian at 35 mph, you’re twice as likely to kill them as at 30mph. That’s a massive difference to cut seconds off your journey."

MYTH 4: If I’m caught speeding I can always just take a speed awareness course to keep my licence clean.

FACT 4: Insp Barf said: "Speed awareness courses are offered to some motorists as an alternative to points. Feedback shows they do change attitudes towards speed. However, not everyone is eligible, so motorists can check our website for more details."

MYTH 5: The police only target speeding drivers because they’re a 'cash cow'.

FACT 5: Insp Barf said: "We target speeding drivers because we have to gather body parts from the carriageway at fatal crashes and break life-changing news to families. You’ll never have to experience those things. But we do. We target speeding drivers because we know the next casualty could be you – even if you don’t want to believe it."