Police catch motorist driving at 88mph on rural road

Police caught a motorist driving at 88mph on a country lane during a crackdown on speeding in the district. The driver was recorded travelling at nearly 30mph over the limit near Whashton, north of Richmond. The motorist was one of 157 who were found to be driving over the limit on Richmondshire's road during December.

But Inspector Martin Metcalfe, from Richmondshire neighbourhood policing team, said he was pleased to see a drop in the number of people caught speeding compared to previous months.

"The fantastic news this month is motorists still seem to be getting the message as we have done just as many checks but our detections are down again. "In December we prosecuted or offered a speed awareness course to at least 157 motorists across Richmondshire, which is down from 486 in October and 180 in November. "There could obviously be many reasons for this, but I would like to think that the message is still getting out.

"Personally I am seeing less motorists speeding in the 30MPH limits and the general feedback I am getting is residents have noticed a positive difference." Insp Metcalfe added: "The worst offender in December was someone clocked doing 88, yes mph, in a 60mph in the vicinity of the Whashton area which is absolutely disgraceful in my opinion. "This motorist is definitely making a personal appearance before a magistrate to explain why they were driving in such a dangerous manner and was of course not eligible for a speed awareness course."

The officer said the crackdown on speeding would continue during 2024.

He added: "Recently, I have identified and agreed with residents, several locations in the Richmond area including Whashton Road, 3 locations at Leyburn, Hudswell, Catterick, Barton, Manfield, Eppleby, West/East Witton, Cleasby, Scotton, Gilling West, Melsonby, Middleham, Dalton on Tees, East Layton, Scorton, Brompton on Swale, Bellerby, Thornton Rust, Hunton, Hawes, Grinton, Askrigg, Reeth, Aysgarth and the Harmby villages, plus Catterick Garrison and Newbiggin (B6160) as areas to target.

"There are even more locations that our Safety Camera Vans will be appearing at on the main roads, so my message to anyone coming to our beautiful and very fine County of Richmondshire is, if you speed, you are now much more likely to be caught and prosecuted for it."