Devon and Cornwall Police roads policing officers and partner agencies carried out Part One of Operation Logjam on December 13, during which 560 drivers were found to be in too much of a Christmas rush.

Part Two of Operation Logjam took place on December 19 across the force area, this time using the staff and safety camera vans of the Peninsula Road Safety Partnership.

An additional 651 motorists were recorded exceeding the speed limit during the Christmas rush period. 121 of these were class restricted vehicles, such as delivery vans.

One car was recorded doing 114 mph in a 70mph zone and a delivery van at 84mph, where the limit was 60mph.

During both parts of the operation formal penalties, words of advice and consultation with commercial fleet managers resulted.

Marcus Laine, operations manager for the Peninsula Road Safety Partnership (PRSP), said: “We will be examining the results for any companies that have drivers who consistently fail to comply with the speed limit.

“We will contact the fleet managers to offer our support in ensuring that their driving at work policies are effective and to ensure their delivery schedules are not such that the drivers feel pressure to exceed the speed limit.”

“If any company would like assistance in such matters, such as class restriction speed limits, then please feel free to contact us via our website at www.prsp.org.uk

Mr Laine continued: “We are however grateful to the considerate company drivers and members of the public that have respected the speed limits in Devon and Cornwall. Whilst the numbers caught speeding may seem high for a one day operation they do actually represent a very small percentage of all road users. The Peninsula Road Safety Partnership would like to wish all road users a safe New Year.”

Meanwhile the aptly named Operation Liquor, a joint operation between the PRSP, Devon and Cornwall Police E section firearms officers and the No Excuse roads policing team, took place between December 18 and 22.

The operation mainly focused on impaired driving during the evening and the morning after the night before, but equally officers were alert to the Fatal Five offences.

A total of 615 speeding offences were detected, five drivers were dealt with for offences at the roadside, 54 traffic offence reports were issued which could see the receiving driver undertaking a speed awareness course; being given a conditional fixed penalty and points on their licence; or facing a day in court.

Additionally there were six positive drug wipes, the providers of which are currently released awaiting the results of their blood tests. Nine arrests were made for drink driving, on suspicion of driving whilst over the specified drug limit and driving whilst unfit through drugs.

Results for the Forcewide Christmas drink and drug drive campaign will be available in the coming weeks, pending the release of national comparative figures by the national Police Chiefs Council (NPCC).

The Fatal Five are the five main causes of serious injuries and deaths on the region’s roads.

1. Inappropriate or excessive speed

2. Not wearing a seat belt

3. Driver distractions including using mobile devices such as phones, 'sat navs' and tablets

4. Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs

5. Careless and inconsiderate driving