DRIVERS speeding on the region's roads have put more than £250,000 into local schools thanks to the police's "Operation Taboo".

Under Taboo, drivers caught breaking the speed limit are offered the option of attending a 90-minute speed awareness and road safety course in place of a £60 fixed penalty notice and three points on their licence.

The course fee is the same as the fine, with all excess money raised, once course costs are covered, donated to local schools to fund road safety initiatives.

Chief Inspector Norman Pascal from the force's Roaad Policing Unit, said: "Taboo has benefited thousands of motorists and motorcyclists, educating them on the dangers of breaking the speed limit.

"Perhaps more importantly, it's directly benefited schools across our region, providing grants to support road safety education.

"Every week in Britain, 70 children - the equivalent of two classrooms full - are killed or seriously injured on our roads.

"It's gratifying to think that the money paid by speeding motorists is helping to reduce this."