Maybe it is time to get tougher with speeders

Will people ever learn?

First we reported that irresponsible drivers are still using their mobile phones at the wheel, despite a police crackdown and the doubling of penalties to provide a supposedly stronger deterrent.

Now we reveal how thousands of drivers have been caught by mobile speed cameras on arterial routes across the Portsmouth area – and the numbers are going up each year.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

A Freedom of Information request by The News has uncovered some shocking statistics.

A total of 10,084 drivers were caught in 2016/17, up from 8,891 the previous year and 8,351 the year before.

In one case a driver was clocked at 119mph on the A3 between Horndean and Petersfield. Another was doing 116mph, also on the A3 between the A272 and Ham Barn Roundabout.

People seem to think that speed limits don’t apply to them. They selfishly ignore them, considering them a tedious inconvenience.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

But as they hurtle along, they clearly don’t stop to think that they are a danger to themselves and other road users. They are more interested in shaving a few precious minutes off their journey time.

A Hampshire police spokesman says that roads policing officers take part in national campaigns to educate motorists and that drivers caught exceeding the limit are offered speed awareness courses.

But is that enough? Judging by the figures, it would seem the answer is no. If more and more people are speeding, maybe it’s time for more severe measures.

Lucy Amos from Brake, the road safety charity, urges the government to consider issuing stronger penalties.

We think she’s right – because the educational approach doesn’t appear to be getting the message across.