Police crackdown on speeding drivers who are using county's quieter roads as a 'personal racetrack'

A major operation has been launched to tackle an increase in speeding on Lancashire's roads, with one driver clocked at 144mph on the M65.
Lancashire Police has begun cracking down on speeding drivers on Lancashire's roads with Operation Manta Ray. Credit: ShutterstockLancashire Police has begun cracking down on speeding drivers on Lancashire's roads with Operation Manta Ray. Credit: Shutterstock
Lancashire Police has begun cracking down on speeding drivers on Lancashire's roads with Operation Manta Ray. Credit: Shutterstock

Lancashire Police said there has been increase in speeding offences since lockdown began, with some motorists taking advantage of the county's quieter roads.

To crack down on the speeding, Lancashire Police has launched Operation Manta Ray, which began on May 6.

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It will focus on 'high profile' enforcement to target the main causes of road accidents - speed, drink and drug driving, use of mobile phones, as well as dangerous and careless driving.

With far quieter roads, some forces are reporting a 50 per cent rise in offences, with a significant increase in “extreme” speeding offences.

Some recent examples include drivers caught doing 144mph and 130mph on the M65, and another travelling at 80mph in a 30mph area on the A583 at Blackpool.

On Friday (May 8), a vehicle was caught by a yellow camera speeding at 100mph in a 30mph zone along Manchester Road in the village of Baxenden, near Hyndburn.

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Lancashire Police said it will be stepping up patrols in key hotspots across the county over the next few weeks.

Police said they have detected an increase in speeding on the county's quieter roads since lockdown began. Credit: ShutterstockPolice said they have detected an increase in speeding on the county's quieter roads since lockdown began. Credit: Shutterstock
Police said they have detected an increase in speeding on the county's quieter roads since lockdown began. Credit: Shutterstock

Chief Inspector Sue Bushell, of Lancashire Police’s Tac Ops Dept, said: "Road safety in Lancashire is always a priority for us as speeding can have devastating consequences.

"Sadly, we have seen an increase in some people driving at excessive speeds, potentially putting themselves and others at risk.

"No matter how quiet the roads are the speed limit still applies.

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"In this unprecedented health emergency, keeping the pressure off our emergency services is so important whilst they keep the public safe and well.

"If someone is speeding and they have a collision, this will take up vital resources including NHS, fire and the police.

"In carrying out this operation we are acting on concerns our communities have raised and we will work tirelessly to target those who think they can use the roads as their own personal racetrack."

You can report any concerns or issues to Lancashire Police by calling 101. Always dial 999 in an emergency.