Speeding drivers in lockdown caught doing up to 100mph on Lincolnshire’s quieter roads

Lincolnshire Police have been actively patrolling to combat a notable upsurge in speeding drivers since the restrictions came into effect and chiefs say they will continue to crack down in notorious areas.

Police say the majority of drivers and riders are staying at home and making essential journeys only and it is only a small proportion who are taking advantage of the quieter roads.

But, as an example, since announcing a week ago that they would be targeting speeders they have checked two drivers doing 90 and 93mph in a 60mph limit on the A16 at Sutterton, 89mph in a 60mph limit on the A17 at Wigtoft, 76mph in a 40mph zone at Martin on the B1191 and 68mph in a 40mph zone on the same road at Woodhall Spa. Another driver was clocked at 93mph in a 60mph limit ion the A17 at Swineshead and one driver was caught doing a staggering 40mph above the 60mph limit on the A1121 Boardsides near Boston.

These speeding drivers and riders will now be receiving a court summons and could face a fine of up to £1,000 fine and a long ban.

Officers have also issued £100 fines and three points on the licence of other speeding drivers. Points are valid for three years and remain on a licence for four years.

Fixed and mobile safety cameras continue to check the speed of drivers at collision hotspots and where they know people exceed the speed limit.

Steve Batchelor, Senior Manager at Lincolnshire Road Safety Partnership, said: “At this time, it is essential that people are able to exercise for their physical and mental health. Cycling, jogging and walking are great options and clearly we want people to be able to undertake these activities without fear of death and injury. Our main concern at this time is that some motorists are driving faster and/or with less care due to the decrease in traffic on the roads and this is putting cyclists, pedestrians and other road users in even more danger than they might otherwise be.

“We wish it wasn’t necessary but we are enforcing speed limits at high priority locations targeting high risk speeders.”

Lincolnshire Police Superintendent Paul Timmins, Head of Specialist Operations, said: “Empty roads may lead to temptation for irresponsible drivers who do not foresee the consequences of their actions. It takes a split second for something to go wrong, the faster the speed the longer the reaction time.

“We have seen a reduction in the number of collisions we are attending and it really needs to stay that way. We are all in the main doing everything we can to reduce the burden on the NHS so they can focus their efforts on saving lives and caring for our family, friends and neighbours.

“I asked last week for people to have conversations with drivers and riders who are breaking the law by speeding and putting lives at risk. Please talk about how it would impact your daily lives if they were not to come home, ever again or were to be injured in a collision. This is the very sad reality that was faced by over 26,610 people who were killed or seriously injured on the country’s roads from June 2017 – June 2018. The traffic is different the speed limit is not.”