The number of drivers caught speeding in the Highlands has soared by more than 40%.
The shock figures are contained in a report by the north’s most senior police officer which will be discussed by councillors this week.
Chief Superintendent Julian Innes revealed that between April-October this year 3,755 motorists were caught breaking the speed limit.
That is an increase of 1,116 compared with the same period in 2014 and much higher than the five-year average of 2,170.
Officers have also caught more drivers using their mobile phones at the wheel, with the number of cases up 72 to 474.
The number of drivers caught not wearing seatbelts fell year-on-year from 437 to 424.
A north road safety campaigner branded the figures “staggering”, while a former politician said he thought the public would welcome the “robust enforcement” being undertaken by police.
Mr Innes, who is regional commander for the Highlands and islands, will present his findings to the council’s communities and partnerships committee later this week.
In his report to councillors he said: “The tactical approach being taken by the division involves targeting speed, use of mobile phones whilst driving and seatbelts.
“It is disappointing to see the numbers increasing in terms of speed and mobile phone use.”
Highland Labour MSP and road safety campaigner David Stewart said: “It’s clearly a staggering increase in the running total for people caught speeding on our roads.
“The figures are concerning and there is a lesson for us all in there about keeping within the set limits or there are consequences.”
Former police officer and Independent Highland MSP John Finnie said the rise was “significant” and backed the police’s approach to road safety.
He said: “It is absolutely clear that one of the most significant things that people want is improved road safety.
“One of the main things that prevents road safety is irresponsible driver behaviour.”
The number of serious road accidents are down year-on-year, according to Mr Innes’s report.
The number of people killed on the north’s roads up to October was eight, down from 13 at the same point last year.
Meanwhile, the number of people seriously injured as a result of accidents was down by 10 year-on-year from 46 to 36.
But the number of children aged under 16 killed or seriously hurt on the roads went up from one to three year-on-year to the end of October.