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RECKLESS drivers have accelerated more than three times the limit on empty roads during the coronavirus crash.
Police chiefs have criticized speed demons for using deserted highways as a “personal race track” as a London driver was recently seen doing 134 mph in a 40 mph zone.
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While Department of Transportation data has shown a two-thirds decrease in motor vehicle use in the past month, top officials say speed has increased by nearly 50 percent, the Daily Telegraph reported.
Police warned that incidents caused by speeding could consume “vital resources” on the NHS and the police already affected by the coronavirus crisis.
Superintendent Julie Ellison of the Greater Manchester Police said the force had seen “a large increase in speeding crime” since the start of the shutdown.
He added that one driver in the city was booked doing 115 mph on a 40 mph highway, and another reaching speeds of 129 mph on the M62.
‘TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE’
It comes as the Metropolitan Police is even prepared to launch a special unit to crack down on speeders in the capital, which has seen seven people die in accidents since the blockade began.
Superintendent Andy Cox of the Meteorological Police will head the unit and promised that the police will face “unacceptable” speed.
He told the Telegraph: “On some roads where we have controls, the average speed has increased by more than 50 percent and a 20 mph road is averaging 40 mph.
“Such behavior is totally unacceptable and increases the chances of a serious collision.”
INCREDIBLE DRIVERS BREAKING THE RULES
- Gloucestershire Police confirmed that two people died in separate collisions at speeds of 104 mph on a recently posted 60 mph limit road.
- In London, seven people have died in accidents since the start of the closure on March 20.
- A driver in Sudbury, Suffolk was caught traveling at 80 mph at a 30 mph limit without insurance or a driver’s license.
- Greater Manchester Police said more than 6,200 drivers had been caught speeding since the shutdown, with one driver doing 115 mph on a 40 mph highway.
- Lincolnshire officials say speeding has doubled on county roads.
- Scottish police said that during the Easter period between April 10-14, 16 people were caught committing crimes related to alcohol or drug use.
It comes after police arrested a motorist who was caught doing 150 mph on a highway earlier this month.
Police followed the bicycle from the M23 to Fulking, West Sussex, where the cyclist momentarily escaped.
Chief Inspector Michael Hodder said the motorcyclist was “lucky to be alive” and urged drivers not to accelerate on empty roads.
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We also revealed today that reserved drivers to accelerate awareness courses will take them online via the Zoom video chat app, with all class-based courses suspended until June.
TTC, which runs them for UK Road Offender Education, now offers remote options.
A slider calculated: “I couldn’t stop laughing when I saw that the course was running through Zoom. I thought we were meant to monitor our speed.”
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A No10 spokesperson said: “The NHS is doing a fantastic job and the nation will want to find a way to thank you when we have beaten this virus.”
SAS hero Andy McNab added: “George’s Cross Award would demonstrate emotional appreciation.”
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