Police are urging drivers to stop reckless speeding after multiple cases of extreme speeds were recorded on UK roads. Some drivers have been caught travelling at 164mph (264km/h), more than double the motorway speed limit of 70mph (113km/h).
Between 2019 and 2023, over 24,000 vehicles were recorded exceeding 100mph (161km/h), according to police data. Notable cases include a car reaching 164mph on the M25 in Kent and another in Greater Manchester. Other high-speed incidents include 163mph (262km/h) in London and Humberside.
The Consequences of Speeding
Chief Inspector Craig West, head of roads policing at Kent Police, stressed the severe consequences of high-speed crashes. "Speeding kills. The impact on victims’ families and communities is devastating."
In one case, a driver was caught at 164mph on the M62 in 2023 using a cloned number plate. In 2022, a Seat Leon was recorded at the same speed on the M25 in Swanley, but the driver was never identified.
Other offenders faced serious penalties. A Porsche driver was banned for six months after being caught at 163mph on the M1 in north London during the early days of the Covid pandemic.
A driver in Humberside, also recorded at 163mph, lost their licence for four months and was fined £950. In South Yorkshire, a driver caught at 162mph (260km/h) in 2019 received six penalty points and fines totalling £1,210.
Plea for Stricter Enforcement
Jillie Slope, whose son Callum Chapman died in a high-speed crash in 2020, is calling for stricter speed enforcement.
Callum was a passenger in a car travelling at 103mph when it crashed into trees on the A24 near Southwater. The driver survived, but Callum died from his injuries.
"It's ripped my heart out," Ms. Slope said. "It feels like his death was in vain because people are still speeding. There aren’t enough police, cameras, or technology in cars to stop this."
The driver pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving, received a three-year prison sentence, and was banned from driving for four-and-a-half years. Another driver involved in the race was jailed for six months and banned for 21 months.
In 2023, the Department for Transport reported 314 deaths where excessive speed was a factor—the highest number in at least a decade. Chief Constable Jo Shiner, the UK’s lead on roads policing, stated,
"Every casualty is one too many. Nearly 3,000 people are killed or seriously injured on our roads each year due to excessive speed. The impact on families and communities is immeasurable."
Legal Consequences for Speeding
According to the Sentencing Council, fines for speeding can reach up to £1,000, or £2,500 if the offence occurs on a motorway. Drivers caught exceeding 100mph face potential disqualification.
Road traffic lawyer David Sonn notes that those caught just over 100mph may avoid a ban, but at speeds over 110mph, disqualification is almost certain. In extreme cases, dangerous driving charges can result in up to two years in prison and a mandatory driving ban.
Technology and Speed Enforcement
Advancements in vehicle technology may help curb speeding. Shaun Helman, a chief scientist at the Transport Research Laboratory, highlights the growing use of Intelligent Speed Assistance (ISA) technology, which can warn drivers when they exceed speed limits and, in some cases, automatically reduce speed.
Mike Hawes, CEO of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, pointed out that eight in ten new cars now come with driver assistance features like advanced emergency braking.
These technologies have contributed to a 38% reduction in rear-end crashes, but he emphasises that human responsibility remains critical.
A Department for Transport spokesperson stated, "There’s no excuse for endangering lives through speeding. We continue to explore how technology can enhance road safety, making journeys safer and reducing emissions."
With police, victims' families, and experts all emphasising the dangers of excessive speed, the message is clear—reckless driving must stop before more lives are lost.
