Community leaders in Selby want motorists to pledge not to speed in villages and other built-up areas.

A number of parish councils have already shown interest in the scheme in which drivers sign a pledge and display a sticker on their windscreen, organisers say.

Run by Selby Community Safety Group, North Yorkshire Police and the Waterfront Working Group, the innovative scheme was launched by acting superintendent Brian Outhwaite.

He said: "This campaign is all about community safety, keeping death off our roads and we want everybody to help us to help them."

Selby District Council chief executive Martin Connor said town and parish councillors at Tadcaster, Hambleton, Burn, Drax, South Milford and Selby had already asked to take part.

"Parishes around the district have a problem with people speeding through their villages. That creates a danger for residents, particularly children and the elderly," he said.

"Talking to police at Selby, some of the problem arises from local residents themselves. They know the roads and let their speed creep up through the area.

"Information has been sent to parishes, who will put up posters inviting people to sign the pledge and pick up their "I have signed the speed pledge" sticker." Reg French, chairman of the Waterfront Working Group, said: "Speeding costs lives and we should all participate in improving road safety by watching our speed. By signing the pledge residents are showing that they recognise their contribution to road safety.

"This is an extremely worthwhile project with which our group is happy to be associated."

Drivers can sign the speed pledge at the Civic Centre, Portholme Road, Selby, or at their parish council.

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