Gloucestershire police today launched a major operation to tackle speeding drivers and organised crime on one of the county's busiest roads.

The operation is based on the busy A417/419 road, the major strategic route linking the county with neighbouring Wiltshire as well as the M4 and M5 motorways. At peak times it carries an estimated 35,000 vehicles a day.

If the pilot is successful, it could be applied to any road in the county.

Gloucestershire's Police and Crime Commissioner Martin Surl said, "This is one of the county's busiest roads which also has one of the worst accident records due to the way it's used.

"Many people have come to me with their concerns about speeding and other safety issues along this road. We now have a chance to test a new model of collaborative road policing which, if it proves a success, can be put into practice elsewhere.

"The aim is not just to penalise motorists but to uphold the law by creating a change in people's behaviour. But the police will enforce the law when necessary."

'Safe and Social Driving' has always been one of the PCC's priorities. He recently funded two additional camera enforcement officers and specialised equipment to reinforce the efforts of community speedwatch groups. The aim has been to reduce speeding, tailgating and the number of drivers using their phones at the wheel and not wearing a seatbelt.

Chief Inspector Mark Soderland said, "A core aim of the approach is collaborating wherever possible with other road safety stakeholders. The team has started with Highways England and the County Council and is now approaching groups such as the Motor Insurers Bureau, The Institute of Advanced Motorists, Driver and Vehicle Standards Authority (DVSA) to explore what opportunities there might be to work together and improve safety.

"Criminality is also important to the operation. Having a police presence on a strategic road such as the A417 is also an excellent opportunity to prevent and disrupt criminals entering the county. Hence the use of the vehicle's ANPR and intelligence briefings.

"Officers have been instructed to stop any vehicle they deem appropriate to do so whether it is because of poor standard of driving, the condition of a vehicle, criminal intelligence led enquiries or other intelligence like missing persons".

The project will be evaluated at the end of the year against a range of measures currently being developed. These will go towards determining its longer term sustainability and benefits.