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| Coronavirus: Speeding drivers flout limit during lockdown | Coronavirus: Speeding drivers flout limit during lockdown |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Speeding motorists have been travelling at more than double the limit during lockdown, UK police have revealed. | Speeding motorists have been travelling at more than double the limit during lockdown, UK police have revealed. |
| One driver was recorded at 134mph in a 40mph limit in London, while another was clocked at 115mph on a 40mph road in Greater Manchester. | One driver was recorded at 134mph in a 40mph limit in London, while another was clocked at 115mph on a 40mph road in Greater Manchester. |
| A crash could put a "huge strain" on other blue light services, one force said, if it led to injury or staff being exposed to Covid-19 and forced into self-isolation. | A crash could put a "huge strain" on other blue light services, one force said, if it led to injury or staff being exposed to Covid-19 and forced into self-isolation. |
| Forces said the minority ignored rules. | Forces said the minority ignored rules. |
| Supt Julie Ellison, from Greater Manchester Police (GMP)'s specialist operations team, said: "My officers are working tirelessly to track down these offenders who are using the quieter roads as their own personal racetrack." | Supt Julie Ellison, from Greater Manchester Police (GMP)'s specialist operations team, said: "My officers are working tirelessly to track down these offenders who are using the quieter roads as their own personal racetrack." |
| 'Astonishing' | 'Astonishing' |
| Police Scotland also said, over the Easter period between 10 and 14 April, 16 people were found committing drink or drug-driving offences. | Police Scotland also said, over the Easter period between 10 and 14 April, 16 people were found committing drink or drug-driving offences. |
| "It is astonishing to see people behave so recklessly, particularly when we all need to be doing our bit to stay at home to protect the NHS and save lives," said Supt Simon Bradshaw, from Police Scotland's road policing division. | "It is astonishing to see people behave so recklessly, particularly when we all need to be doing our bit to stay at home to protect the NHS and save lives," said Supt Simon Bradshaw, from Police Scotland's road policing division. |
| Recent incidents across the UK include: | Recent incidents across the UK include: |
| "The concern we currently have relates to those undertaking unnecessary travel. A serious road collision can result in around 20 emergency services staff attending the scene," Ch Insp Steve Lenney from Dorset, Devon and Cornwall roads policing unit said. | "The concern we currently have relates to those undertaking unnecessary travel. A serious road collision can result in around 20 emergency services staff attending the scene," Ch Insp Steve Lenney from Dorset, Devon and Cornwall roads policing unit said. |
| "If someone involved in the collision tests positive for Covid-19, then that is a substantial number of emergency services staff forced into self-isolation and unable to work, which puts a huge strain on all blue-light services, not just the NHS." | "If someone involved in the collision tests positive for Covid-19, then that is a substantial number of emergency services staff forced into self-isolation and unable to work, which puts a huge strain on all blue-light services, not just the NHS." |
| Forces reporting an increase in speeding offences also included Northumbria, Leicestershire, Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Hertfordshire and Merseyside. | Forces reporting an increase in speeding offences also included Northumbria, Leicestershire, Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Hertfordshire and Merseyside. |
| Dyfed-Powys Police in Wales said it had seen "a few separate locations where the community had raised concerns over speeding" and the all-Wales road safety partnership, Go Safe, would be responding.Supt Andy Cox, from the Met Police's roads and traffic policing command, said his team had recorded one driver travelling at 134mph in a 40mph zone. | |
| Joshua Harris, director of campaigns at road safety charity Brake, said there was "never an excuse for speeding". | Joshua Harris, director of campaigns at road safety charity Brake, said there was "never an excuse for speeding". |
| He said: "With only essential travel permitted, we would hope to see speeding decline and so the reported increase is deeply concerning. | He said: "With only essential travel permitted, we would hope to see speeding decline and so the reported increase is deeply concerning. |
| "We urge everyone to follow government guidance and stay home." | "We urge everyone to follow government guidance and stay home." |
| Additional reporting: The Local Democracy Reporting Service | Additional reporting: The Local Democracy Reporting Service |