Speeds rivaling those of Formula 1 drivers have been recorded on the roads of the West Midlands, raising serious concerns about driver safety. Rather than on a racetrack like Silverstone, these extreme velocities were clocked on public roads, with some drivers reaching an astonishing 155mph.
According to data obtained through a freedom of information request, West Midlands Police have recorded some of the most dangerously high speeds since the beginning of last year. The fastest recorded was a high-performance Mercedes AMG CLA45 traveling at 155mph in Sutton Coldfield last March—over twice the legal motorway speed limit.
Authorities have not confirmed whether this incident occurred on a motorway or a regular road. Other notable cases include a BMW reaching 151mph on the M6 northbound between Junctions 4 and 5 near Castle Bromwich.
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Two separate drivers in Audi vehicles were also caught driving at 143mph on the M42 northbound, with one caught between Junctions 3A and 4 in March and the other between Junctions 4 and 5 in April.
Most of these extreme speeds were detected by average speed cameras installed across regional motorways, but it’s likely that additional reckless driving remains undetected on roads lacking such surveillance.
These alarming figures highlight the ongoing dangers posed by speeding drivers and the critical need for continued enforcement and public awareness to keep roads safe.