POLICE are intensifying efforts to stop ‘horrendous’ driving and motorcycling amid fears their could be fatalities this weekend.

On Wednesday evening in Craven, North Yorkshire Police say a motorcyclist was clocked at 63mph in a 30mph village.

Around 20 speeding offences were recorded within just 45 minutes at the same location – the A65 in Cold Coniston - and a quarter of them involved speeds above 46mph in the 30mph limit.

Recently police also stopped a car driver travelling at 132mph on the A19 near Thirsk.

Speeds of 122mph on the A64 and 117mph on the A168 have also been recorded in the last few weeks.

Officers believe a minority of motorists are exploiting quieter roads.

But traffic levels are rising after some lockdown restrictions were eased, and more cyclists and pedestrians are using the roads.

This presents an even greater risk of casualties and to prevent this, Roads Policing Officers and the safety camera van fleet are out in force.

Anyone using the roads this weekend is being advised there will be a highly-visible police presence.

They will be enforcing all road offences as normal butt there will be a strong emphasis on speed enforcement in places where residents have highlighted concerns, as well as on roads with a high casualty rate and other hotspots.

Superintendent Paula Booth said: “Based on the incidents we’ve been dealing with, I am genuinely concerned we’ll be experiencing more fatalities this weekend. We really don’t want that to happen.

“We’re seeing some horrendous driving and riding, and we know that more than 90% of the fatal collisions we investigate are caused by driver or rider error.

“These road users aren’t just creeping a few miles an hour above the speed limit. They are taking to the road with the express intention of using it as a racetrack. Enough is enough - this will not be allowed continue.”