A speed enforcement campaign is aiming to reduce deaths and serious accidents on the road.

Sussex Police is taking part in the Europe-wide project, the results of which will be collated across the continent to help decrease the number of people killed and seriously injured in speed-related collisions.

The campaign is led by TISPOL, an organisation established by traffic police forces across Europe to improve road safety and law enforcement.

Annually, 40,000 die on the roads of Europe and thousands of people suffer permanent, life-changing injuries.

Operation Crackdown, which provides an opportunity for members of the public to report speeding and anti-social driving behaviour, received 1,608 speed complaints from across Sussex, between March 2009 and March 2010.

Sgt Huw Watts, from Sussex Police Road Policing Unit, said: “We want drivers to realise that excessive speed is as dangerous as drink-driving and to understand that by sticking to the legal speed limits of the roads, unnecessary deaths can be prevented.”

Neil Hopkins, communications manager for the Sussex Safer Roads Partnership, said: “The theory behind Operation Crackdown is simple. Don't tolerate it, report it.

“By working with Sussex Police on this important campaign we can help to make our roads safer.” Concerns about anti-social driving can be reported on 01243 642222 or at www.operationcrackdown.org.