PHOTOGRAPHS displaying the devastating consequences of road accidents are being shown to motorists caught speeding on Craven's roads.

The police, fire authority and ambulance service have teamed up to carry out Operation Siren, which gives speeders the opportunity to pick up a ticket or listen to a short lecture about the potential repercussions of a collision.

The tactic has already been used on 26 motorists on the A6068 in Glusburn and 20 drivers on Broughton Road, Skipton.

The operation involves the use of speed cameras and those drivers caught exceeding the limit are directed to the roadside.

There they are informed of their speed and asked if they would prefer to drive off with a fixed penalty ticket, so incurring a £60 fine and three penalty points on their licence, or stay and have a lecture.

Around 10 personnel from the emergency services are involved in the scheme.

Police officers give the drivers information about the legal consequences of a car crash and insurance costs, firefighters present the pictures and paramedics explain about the human costs and likely injuries.

Group manager for Craven Dave McCabe, who is based at Skipton Fire Station, said that two thirds of all fatal accidents involved speeds of 40mph or less and a motorist travelling at 35 mph was twice as likely to kill someone than if they were driving at 30mph.