Drivers caught speeding over 100mph risk causing ‘devastating effects’ for Britons - 'Message is clear'

A national speed limit sign

Nottinghamshire police recorded 115 incidents of drivers speeding over 100mph

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Hemma Visavadia

By Hemma Visavadia


Published: 02/09/2024

- 14:04

One driver was caught travelling at 152mph along one stretch of road

The number of drivers caught travelling at speeds greater than 100mph in a popular county has reached record highs.

According to a Freedom of Information request to Nottinghamshire Police, 115 motorists have been caught driving at speeds above 100mph since 2020.


The FOI found that in one case, a driver was caught speeding 152mph with the police force now looking to crack down on rule breakers.

The data also recorded how 59 drivers were found speeding above 100mph last year, showing a 555 per cent increase compared with just nine drivers the year before.

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Speed camera across the M1

The M1 was highlighted as the main road for drivers to speed on

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Drivers predominantly broke the speed limits along the M1 which connects London to Leeds, but the A38 in Sutton-in-Ashfield had the most speeding cases.

A Nottinghamshire Police spokesperson said: “The careless and dangerous actions of just one driver can have devastating effects on so many lives so we are continuing to urge drivers to pay attention, take care at all times and obey the law while they are behind the wheel.

“The message from the force is clear. We will not tolerate people who break the law by driving vehicles in a manner that puts other road users, and themselves, at risk of serious injury or death."

Meanwhile, over 17,000 traffic offences have been flagged this year alone for breaking 30mph limits, up from 10,000 in 2023.

In a bid to stop drivers breaking the law and the number of crashes, Nottinghamshire Police have installed a new speed camera along the most notorious routes.

Lucy Straker, campaigns manager at Brake, told the BBC: "Speed is a contributory factor in one in four fatal road crashes.

“The science of speed is complex, but the overall message is simple – the faster the speed, the greater the stopping distance, the higher the risk of a crash and the greater the risk of death and injury.”

The charity added that “speed limits are limits, not targets”. They also should never be exceeded, it warned.

Brake recorded how speeding contributes to 10,093 crashes, 345 deaths and 3,388 serious injuries each year.

Earlier this year, data revealed that more than nine million drivers were caught speeding in the last five years with as many as 2.1 million drivers caught last year.

In the UK, drivers who break the speed limit can face a minimum fine of £100 as well as three penalty points added to a driving licence.

But the fine could drastically increase to £1,000 or £2,500 if the motorists were caught speeding on a motorway.

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Over 17,000 drivers have broken 30mph limits

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Louise Thomas, motor expert at Confused.com commented: "You should never risk speeding at any time. Not only is there a risk to your safety, but for other road users too.

"Your future as a driver could also be impacted, with risk of disqualification from driving altogether, or new financial burdens as a result."

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