More than 480 speeding drivers caught in West Midlands motorways purge

Officers from the Central Motorway Police Group (CMPG) stopped 486 drivers last week across the West Midlands, Staffordshire, Shropshire, Herefordshire and Worcestershire.

The highest speed recorded was on the M6 Toll, where a driver was caught going 125mph.

A total of 67 drivers were caught travelling at more than 100 mph and face disqualification from driving altogether.

The majority of speeding offences - around 68 per cent - were committed by drivers travelling between 90 and 100mph.

The action was part of an annual European-wide awareness campaign which seeks to highlight the dangers of speeding and the consequences of driving above the limit.

The operation followed an online survey of the motoring public, where more than 700 people outlined areas on motorways where they thought speeding was a real issue.

Officers concentrated their efforts on 16 April when they - along with other forces from across the continent - took part in a 24 hour "speed marathon", catching 110 speeding drivers in the Midlands in one day.

Chief Inspector Jared White from CMPG said: "The vast majority of those caught speeding were travelling in excess of 90mph. Speed is a significant factor in many serious and fatal collisions on our roads and I cannot stress how dangerous it is to drive at these speeds, not only to the driver but also to other road users.

"All of the 486 drivers caught will have been sent a notice of intended prosecution. Those driving at excessive high speed will appear before the courts.

"As part of this campaign, it was important to us that we were in the places where people felt there was a real problem with speeding and following the results of our Twitter survey, officers targeted drivers on the M5 southbound, M6 Toll and the M6 motorways.

"We understand speeding is not the only issue on the motorway, with general bad driving and middle lane hoggers also being a cause for concern. I'd like to reassure people that we are continuously tackling these issues, as well as those who use mobile phones at the wheel, don't wear seat belts and drink drive.

"We want everyone who uses the motorway network in the Midlands to get home safely every day and we hope this week of action sends a clear message to those who do break the speed limit that they need to consider their safety - and that of others - more seriously in the future."

West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner, David Jamieson, said: "Speed is a well-known killer on our roads. I welcome this crackdown, especially on the 67 offenders who were caught speeding at over 100mph.

"Reducing the number of deaths on our roads is a key target of my policing plan. I am pleased that the force is taking this commitment seriously and improving safety on our roads.

"Speed, along with the use of mobile phones, not wearing seat belts and alcohol are the four main causes of deaths on our roads. With the police I will be working hard to make sure that those fatal four causes are dramatically reduced."