Drivers make 'extraordinary excuses' for speeding

A cold KFC, drying a recently-cleaned bike and needing the loo are just some of the excuses people have given after they were caught speeding, Dorset Police has said.

Officers from the force's No Excuse Team stopped 2,000 motorists suspected of driving over the speed limit between the 24 July and 6 November.

Sgt Gareth Thomas said they had heard "extraordinary excuses" from some drivers.

He said: "We want to remind motorists that there is no excuse whatsoever."

“Driving at excessive speed not only puts yourself in danger, but also endangers other road users and increases the risk of a collision occurring," Sgt Thomas said.

"We all too often see many families left suffering after deaths and life-changing injuries on our roads.

"There is no legitimate reason to speed and increase your risk of seriously injuring or killing another innocent road user," he added.

The force said one person who was stopped said they were speeding because they needed the toilet, whilst another said they had just washed their bike and needed to dry it "by driving a bit quicker".

Another said they were low on fuel so were rushing to the petrol station, whilst another said they were speeding so their KFC did not get cold.

Dorset Police said one of the vehicles stopped in the 15-week period was a double decker bus reportedly travelling 43mph on a 30mph road whilst carrying passengers.

Police and Crime Commissioner David Sidwick said speeding drivers were "putting your own and others at risk of serious injury or worse".

"Some of the speeds recorded in this update are shocking and I would urge all drivers to watch their speed and drive carefully," he said.

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