COMMENT: Speeding to an early grave

That’s exactly what Northumbria Police did when they agreed to support Brake’s week of action this year.

Officers set up mobile safety camera vans to find out just how bad the problem in our community is.

In just three days, 593 drivers were caught breaking the speed limit. That’s approaching 200 a day!

In one of the more disturbing findings, one driver was captured in camera travelling at twice the speed limit.

In another, a motorist was clocked at a whisker off 100mph in a 70mph zone.

Speeding has become a source of concern during lockdown as some motorists take advantage of the quieter roads and put their foot down. This new breed of Covidiots are putting even more lives at risk, as if the virus itself is not enough of a concern.

Chief Inspector Sam Rennison, of Northumbria Police’s Motor Patrols Department, has rightly condemned the irresponsible behaviour on the roads.

She said: “Quieter roads during lockdown actually saw a large spike in the level of speeding and we have seen more fatal collisions this year than we did in the previous 12 months. Every one of those collisions rips a family apart and robs them of a loved one. It is tragic, but a lot of the time it is also completely avoidable.”

A mirror has been held up to our society and what we see is ugly. It’s time to take action. Save lives … cut your speed.