Skip to main content

More than 2,000 UK drivers caught speeding at 100mph in the last year

According to data received by BBC Radio 5 Live in response to a Freedom of Information request, more than 2,000 motorists in the UK were caught by police speeding at more than 100mph in the last year. The figures come from 42 of the UK's 45 police forces which were asked to supply details for the 2014-15 financial year on the number of offences they recorded where a motorist was found to be travelling at 100mph, either by a speed camera or from an officer's speed radar. Forces were also asked to supply t
February 26, 2016 Read time: 2 mins
According to data received by BBC Radio 5 Live in response to a Freedom of Information request, more than 2,000 motorists in the UK were caught by police speeding at more than 100mph in the last year.

The figures come from 42 of the UK's 45 police forces which were asked to supply details for the 2014-15 financial year on the number of offences they recorded where a motorist was found to be travelling at 100mph, either by a speed camera or from an officer's speed radar. Forces were also asked to supply the maximum speed, location and make and model of vehicle involved.

Three forces - Greater Manchester, Kent and Thames Valley - did not supply any information while others only provided some of the requested details.

The responses showed at least 2,169 traffic reports were filed by UK police forces against motorists, most in cars but some on motorcycles, travelling at more than 100mph.

The highest speed recorded was a 1731 BMW M4 coupe travelling at 156mph on the A1(M) in Cambridgeshire in March, more than twice the national limit. A 1685 Mercedes C200 was recorded at155mph on the M1 in Hertfordshire, and a 3883 Jaguar at 144mph on the M4 in Gloucestershire.

The figures supplied by those forces specifying an exact speed showed 152 out of the 2,169 motorists were clocked going at 120mph or faster, with 43 stopped driving at speeds of at least 130mph.

The National Police Chiefs Council lead for Roads Policing, Chief Constable Suzette Davenport, told the BBC: "Speed is a significant factor in fatal road accidents and extreme speed causes an even greater risk to road users."

Related Content

  • April 14, 2015
    IAM calls for greater education for smart motorway users
    As smart motorways reach their first birthday in the UK this week, the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) has expressed concern that widespread confusion still exists amongst motorway users on how best to use them. Smart motorways were officially introduced this time last year to replace Managed Motorways as the solution to the nation’s congested motorways but concerns have been raised over their safety. England’s first all-lane running motorway, i.e. without a hard shoulder, opened on the 2.5 km
  • August 22, 2017
    Foreign drivers cannot avoid paying Dart Charge, says RHA
    The news that over one million non-UK drivers have managed to avoid paying the Dart Charge when travelling over the Dartford Crossing comes as little surprise to the Road Haulage Association *RHA). Speaking to BBC Kent, RHA policy director Duncan Buchanan said: “This issue was identified from the moment the Freeflow system was introduced, and it is still a problem. Foreign drivers should pay: it’s as simple as that. It is very concerning that there are still hauliers making the crossing for free.” Fin
  • March 27, 2014
    Dubai Traffic Police: Vitronic speed camera six times more efficient than radar
    As part of a program to better enforce tailgating offences which caused 22 deaths and 426 injuries in Dubai in 2013, Dubai Traffic Police has completed tests comparing Vitronic’s PoliScan speed enforcement systems to standard radar systems on one of the city`s main roads. According to officials the Lidar-based Vitronic systems were six times more efficient than conventional technologies. “The speed camera was successful in tracking motorists who won’t leave enough distance on the roads, which is the maj
  • June 5, 2014
    Truvelo TRIMMS night-time speeds on unlit roads
    Truvelo UK’s new TRIMMS infrared illumination enables mobile speed enforcement in the dead of night. Lincolnshire is the UK’s fourth-largest county, has a population of over a million and is predominantly rural. Only 66km of its 8,893km road network is dual carriageway and 79% of the rest is ‘C’ class or unclassified roads. In terms of Killed and Seriously Injured (KSI) figures, there were 415 casualties in 2013 (down from 526 in 2002). Official figures show inappropriate speed accounts for 25% of the UK’s