DOZENS of drivers blatantly disregarding the speed limits on the A38 in South East Cornwall were nabbed by the police this week as part of a crackdown.

The worst offender was caught travelling at 79mph in a 50mph zone. This driver faces the possibility of being banned.

At one stage, the police were recording a speeding offence every five minutes during their eight-hour operation on Tuesday.

The officers were using speed cameras at Stoketon Cross, near Saltash, an accident blackspot, and at Landrake and Tideford.

A total of 75 drivers found themselves being pulled over by the police.

Thirty-five will be prosecuted, while the remaining 40 were given warnings.

A further 11 motorists were breathalysed because they had committed traffic offences and a prohibition notice was served on a driver for having tyres which were considered dangerous.

Officers were approached as they were conducting their checks and thanked by a magistrate and a local councillor, who stated that this type of policing was long overdue.

The police are also now deploying unmarked police vehicles equipped with cameras to capture some of the other offences which aggravate careful drivers. These include careless driving, using mobile telephones and failing to wear seatbelts.

The day of action was part of a month-long campaign which is focused on stretches of the A38 between Liskeard and the Tamar Bridge.

The route has been described as treacherous because of the high number of accidents including fatal collisions.

Inspector Dan Ivey said: 'Having received so many complaints about excessive speed and careless driving along this stretch of the road, the results of this particular day of action speak for themselves.

'Too many people are driving too fast and appear to think they are both invincible to injury and the law. There are no excuses. The speed restriction signs are very clear all along this stretch of the road.'

The inspector added that he wanted to make it clear that the action was not a money-making exercise as the police do not get any of the money from the fines issued.

'I have a clear mandate to act and I intend getting as many of my officers as possible out onto the roads to catch people in the act before they end up killing themselves or others,' he said.