Watch video: Lincolnshire Police urging drivers to take care on county’s roads after increasing reports of speeding

They acknowledge roads are quieter and with less traffic this all helps to reduce the strain on the NHS by reducing injuries caused by collisions. In the main communities are making essential journeys only, say the force.

But officers say they are experiencing a small rise in “irresponsible drivers” taking advantage of the quieter roads and driving at higher speeds.

Following comments to officers from the public too theyhave taken action to increase enforcement.

Officers are focussing their efforts on speed enforcement. They are saying that it is everyone’s responsibility to take care on the roads and they will do everything they can to reduce speeding vehicles and to keep the roads a safe place for road users who are making essential journeys, reducing the burden on the NHS so they have capacity to care for people who need their help due to coronavirus.

Specialist operations officers are on patrol day and night in marked and unmarked cars and motorbikes. Local officers on response and neighbourhoods are conducting speed enforcement checks. They have the Safer Roads Team on patrol enforcing speed limits too and the Lincolnshire Road Safety Partnership is enforcing speed limits using mobile and fixed safety camera sites.

Superintendent Paul Timmins, Head of Specialist Operations, Lincolnshire Police, said: “Our officers are keeping the roads as safe as we can. I appeal to everyone in our communities to help us with this. The drivers that are speeding and causing huge concern to others are known to their family members and friends.

“Have those conversations about how speeding and inconsiderate driving will affect you if they are injured or if they injure someone else. There is no second chance, the faster someone goes the less time they have to react. We’re doing everything we can to reduce the risk, to protect everyone we know who goes to work to save lives in the NHS. I’m asking you to help too.”

Officers are focussing on enforcing speed limits and also those offences known as “the fatal four”, which contribute to fatal and serious injury collisions: using a mobile phone, excess speed, driving while under the influence of drink or drugs and not wearing seatbelts.

Supt Timmins reminded drivers that the traffic is different - but the speed limit is not.

They also filmed PC Pete Wing while he completed speed enforcement checks. He said: “If you do have to travel, make sure you stick to the speed limits.”