177 caught speeding on M6 and A500 in lockdown speeding crackdown
More than 170 drivers were caught speeding in just three days during a crackdown by motorway officers in Staffordshire.
A total of 177 motorists were clocked speeding on the M6 and the A500 as a month-long operation was launched by the Central Motorway Police Group.
They included drivers doing around 90mph in the 50mph roadworks section of the M6.
The M6 has been quieter since the introduction of the lockdown, resulting in more drivers deciding to put their foot down. Numbers of cars on the road is likely to increase over the next few weeks as the lockdown is eased and some people return to work.
Police chiefs say some drivers have been exceeding the speed limit by 15mph or more as they take advantage of quieter roads.
Motorists have been warned that officers will be patrolling the motorway and dealing with those who are speeding by speaking to them at the roadside or reporting them for summons to court.
The operation will continue to run throughout the month.
Inspector Sion Hathaway, from Central Motorway Police Group, said: “Since the lockdown began, traffic flow has dropped by over 50 per cent on the networks we police. However, this has resulted in a large increase in the number of vehicles exceeding the speed limit by 15mph or more.
“Though the roads are quieter because of Covid-19, the law hasn’t changed. Drivers should be sticking to the speed limit and anyone who isn’t will be caught by our officers.
“Just a few extra miles per hour can make all the difference to a driver’s reaction, braking distances and ultimately put other lives at risk. We’re in an unprecedented time and we all want to keep each other safe and reduce the strain
on the NHS so carrying out these speed checks is a crucial way of protecting road users and ensuring everyone gets home safely every day.”
