12/02/2015

IAM Reveals Speeding Motorists Hit Over 140mph

Newly released figures have revealed that two motorists were caught driving at 146mph on the M25 last year.

The Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) figures show that four drivers were caught by speed camera doing more than 140mph in 2014.

Along with the two drivers doing 146mph in a 70mph zone, a driver was clocked at 145mph at the M6 toll in Staffordshire, and another at 141mph on the A1 in Great Ponton.

And the Metropolitan Police caught a driver in East Grinstead, travelling at 128mph in a 30mph zone.

The figures were discovered using a Freedom of Information request made to police forces by the motoring group.

Commenting on the numbers, IAM chief executive, Sarah Sillars, said: "It is disheartening to say the least that some road users are showing such disregard for the safety of all other road users – pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists and other drivers.

"At speeds of 140mph an individual is travelling at nearly two-and-a-half miles a minute. At that speed it is simply impossible to react to anything that might happen in front of you.

"It is also impossible to handle corners, gradients, street furniture and junctions with any effectiveness. In short, all these individuals are playing with their own lives and others – they are all accidents waiting to happen and it requires a major shift in the attitudes of these people to think about safety."

(MH/CD)

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