Motorist caught going 151mph on M1 over Easter

Motorists were caught driving at “extreme speeds” over the Easter weekend with one driver clocked at 151mph.

The Metropolitan Police also caught a driver travelling at 97mph in a 40 zone and four drivers going over 100mph on the A13.

Detective Sergeant Andy Cox, Scotland Yard’s lead officer on roads policing, posted video footage of a pursuit on the M1 where speeds reached more than double the limit.

He said: “Extreme speeds this wkend in #London. Many enforced including 97mph (40) on #A10.

“This driver reached 151mph on #M1 before decamping car & evading on foot. We will do upmost to identify & take action.”

Drivers have been taking advantage of quieter roads, with four in 10 cars exceeding the speed limit in Greater Manchester, mayor Andy Burnham said last week.

The region’s mayor said figures show an expected large decrease in the number of vehicles on the roads, but the number of speeding motorists has doubled.

Meanwhile, two other police forces said they had seen an increase in speeding and warned motorists not to drive irresponsibly during the travel restrictions.

North Wales Police caught a driver travelling at 113mph on the A55 at Northop and another at 101mph on the A5 near Corwen, while North Yorkshire Police said a BMW was clocked travelling at 132mph on the A168 at Asenby, near Thirsk.

AA president Edmund King said: “There is no excuse for speeding even if the roads and motorways are almost empty.

“Speeding has led to several crashes over the last few days, which ties up the resources of the emergency services, the NHS and potentially takes up precious hospital beds.”