Police have no sympathy for emigrating driver

Thames Valley Police have been on a speeding crack down in the village of Mortimer, West Berkshire, England.

45 drivers were caught exceeding the village speed limit over a two day period. One of which was 44 year old Christian Ward of Poole in Dorset who was caught on Friday April 4^th.

"We recorded a Porsche 911 traveling at 56 mph in a 30 mph zone.
"We pulled the driver over and he told us that he was due to emigrate that day.
"So, to ensure that he received a suitable punishment, we decided to arrest him." said Pc Julian Weal.

When he later appeared in court at West Berkshire Magistrates' Court, Mr Ward did plead guilty and was ordered to pay a £200 fine along with £60 costs and a £15 victim surcharge and received a six point endorsement on his license.

Thames Valley Police are taking the issue of speeding very seriously as said by Pc Weal: "We, as part of the Thames Valley Road Safety Partnership, take the issue of speeding very seriously.
"This incident shows that nobody is exempt from punishment.
"If you break the law then we will punish you by which ever method we see fit."

During two speed check days last week the police officers were joined by road safety officials from West Berkshire Council.

In total the police pulled over a total of 45 drivers, out of these 12 people received talks from the council road safety officials, 29 drivers received a three point penalty on their licenses and also fined £60, 3 of which were found to be doing excessive speed. There were 2 drivers that were given the £30 fixed penalty notice for not wearing a seatbelt and 1 driver had her car seized for driving with a provisional licence.

Pc Matt Allen, neighborhood officer made this comment: "During our public consultations local residents often raised the issue of speeding.
"During the two checks last week we stopped 45 drivers.
"This is a staggering amount and shows that people are clearly not respecting the speed limit which is in place for people's safety.
"We will continue to monitor this problem and carry out similar checks in the future to ensure that people get the message."

www.thamesvalley.police.uk