A CRACKDOWN on dangerous drivers will be launched this month, it has been announced.

The move comes as motorists were caught regularly speeding on a stretch of 20mph road in Oswaldtwistle.

Drivers were travelling at an average speed of 27mph in High Street, a survey by the county council revealed.

A range of road safety initiatives will now be put in place in a bid to tackle bad driving, a spokesperson said, although the crackdown is not a direct response to the survey.

Head of sustainable travel and safety at Lancashire County Council Vali Birang said: “We had already planned a series of road safety initiatives working with partners in Hyndburn to address particular risks in the district.”

School roadwatch events will see pupils pull over motorists and lecture them about the dangers of speeding, and the distribution of banners and poster to local schools.

Speed indicator devices, better known as ‘smiley face signs’ will be positioned throughout the borough, including High Street.

As with all 20mph zones, High Street features large signs at the entry and exit points, and smaller signs throughout the zones, reminding drivers of the reduced limit.

Mr Birang said: “We are committed to educating drivers about the benefits of a 20mph speed limit. Evidence shows that these ‘smiley face’ devices are effective in changing drivers’ behaviour.

Oswaldtwistle councillor Peter Britcliffe, who instigated the High Street survey back in January, welcomed the crackdown.

He said: “If the zones are to be effective, they have to reduce the danger of speeding traffic.

“A lot of money has been spent introducing 20mph zones and there have been a lot of complaints that they are not making any difference.

“It’s very important that when these zones are put in place, they are enforced, so I’m delighted more measures will be taken to enforce them.”