Speed Demons Caught Racing at 120mph While Brits Stayed Home
Nearly 20 reckless drivers smashed speed limits by over 25mph during lockdown, racking up almost £9,000 in fines and 108 penalty points. Eighteen of these speedsters faced court on 29 September, with five more already dealt with last week, fined over £2,200 and slapped with 27 points.
More hearings for speed cheats hitting absurd speeds are lined up next month.
Mad Speeds on Empty Roads Put Lives at Risk
Adam Pipe, Head of Roads Policing, blasted the offenders: “During April and May, roads were emptier as people stayed home to save lives and protect the NHS. Yet some saw it as a licence to race at terrifying speeds.”
Four drivers were clocked doing a blistering 120mph or more on A-roads and motorways. Pipe warned, “We are lucky no one crashed — at those speeds, fatalities are almost guaranteed.”
He condemned the selfishness: “Putting lives at risk while most did their bit to protect the NHS is unbelievable. Some of their excuses? Truly shocking.”
Pipe vowed: “Our officers will keep patrolling, targeting speeders and drink or drug drivers to keep our roads safe.”
Speeding Blamed for Quarter of Injury Crashes in Essex
- In 2019, 17 died and 241 seriously injured due to inappropriate speed on Essex roads.
- There were 684 injury collisions involving speeding—nearly a quarter of all crashes.
Record Speeds Recorded Across Essex Roads
Top speeds on national speed limit roads:
- 130mph on the A12 near Brentwood (10 May)
- 124mph on M11 near Harlow (16 April)
- 121mph on M11 near Harlow (15 April)
- 120mph on M25 near Brentwood (16 April)
- 113mph on M11 near Harlow (15 April)
Top speeds on other roads:
- 76mph at Dartford Crossing (50mph limit) on 11 April
- 76mph at Dartford Crossing (50mph limit) on 15 April
Shocking Excuses from Speeding Drivers
- “I’d been to the beach with family and friends. We had to get out.”
- “I was tired and rushing to get home.”
- “I hadn’t been out for a while, so I was driving quickly.”
- “I was on my way to work, not used to my new car.”
