Norfolk Police see increase in speeding offences during lockdown
Norfolk Police continue to take robust action against speeding drivers after figures show a dramatic increase in speeding offences.
Since the beginning of the lockdown in March, there has been a 75 per cent reduction in traffic volume across the roads in Norfolk, with the majority of people following government guidelines on social distancing and staying at home except for essential needs.
During this period last year 0.6 per cent of vehicles which were detected speeding were travelling at more than 100mph but disappointingly this year, the number has risen to 1.1 per cent.
Speed data recorders set up at various locations across the county, have shown a marked increase in vehicles exceeding the speed limit.
In the past week, police have seen vehicles taking advantage of the quiet roads - two were seen doing 101mph and 103mph along the A47, a light goods vehicle was found to be travelling along the A11 at 102mph, and finally, in a 60mph zone in Kings Lynn, A vehicle was found to be travelling at 94mph.
Chief Inspector Kris Barnard, head of the joint roads and armed policing team, said: "It is very disappointing to see such a dramatic increase in speeding drivers, especially when we are seeing fewer vehicles on our roads.
"As we continue to reiterate, speeding is one of the ‘fatal four’ offences making you more likely to be involved in a serious or fatal collision alongside using a mobile phone, drink/drug driving and not wearing a seatbelt.
"If you are involved in a serious collision you are highly likely to need vital health care, therefore increasing the demand on our NHS. Due to the current Coronavirus pandemic, there has never been a more important time for us to all do our bit by protecting our NHS by reducing our chances of needing health care.
"We continue to patrol our road network by targeting speeding drivers and we will take robust action against anyone who is found to break those rules. We also urge people to follow government guidelines that non-essential journeys are not permitted due to the Coronavirus outbreak and would be in breach of the Health Act rules.”
