Police today launched a crackdown on speeding motorists.
The crackdown is part of an initiative across the UK in support of a campaign led by the National Police Chiefs Council (NPCC).
A spokesperson said: ‘There is no excuse for excessive speed when driving, either breaking the speed limit or travelling too fast for the road conditions, but that doesn’t stop drivers who are pulled over from offering them.
‘The highlights from the Alliance Roads Policing team’s activity in the first week of 2019 alone (see picture) supplied the following gems: “Keeping up with the flow of traffic” when having just overtaken an unmarked police car and everything else (92mph); “My cat is sick” (91mph, with children in the car); “In a rush to get to my girlfriend’s house” (101mph); “Didn’t realise I was going that fast” (100mph); and “Chatting and distracted” (94mph).
‘Far from just handing out “speeding tickets”, dependent on the severity of each offence, drivers may receive penalty points on their licence and a fine, or they may have the option of attending a speed awareness course in which case those penalties will not apply.
‘In extreme cases of excessive speed, they may face a day in court which could result in a driving ban.’
Operations will be carried out across Cornwall and Devon on arterial routes and A-roads, and in areas where concerns have been raised about speeding through towns and communities.