130mph driver has smiled wiped from face after passing police speed camera van

Dangerous driver was caught doing close to three times the speed limit

05:30, 11 May 2025

A reckless driver who reached speeds of 130mph in the West Midlands was made to pay for his joyride after passing a police speed camera van.

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The driver was close to three times the speed limit on 50mph Collector Road in Solihull[1] - but apparently didn't see a police van parked up on the side of the road monitoring traffic.

The marked vans visit hotspot areas so they can monitor traffic speeds, and motorists never know exactly when they will be there.

READ MORE: Drivers left baffled by 'most confusing' road sign - do you know what it means?[2]

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And this appeared to be the case for the 130mph driver who got himself into trouble.

He could face a driving ban and GBP1,000 fine due to the ridiculous speeds reached - close to double the UK's national speed limit.

It was the fastest speed recorded during recent speeding operations by the mobile units.

Others included a driver doing 83mph on the 40mph Newton Road, Sandwell[4], and another doing 82mph on a 40mph section of Small Heath[5] Highway.

It comes after West Midlands Police[6] recently doubled its fleet of speed camera vans from four to eight in a bid to catch more dangerous drivers and enforce speed limits.

Police chiefs said there had been a 31% increase in speeding prosecutions following this rollout, rising from 2,820 in January to 3,199 in February and 3,696 in March.

Police and Crime Commissioner Simon Foster said: "These figures highlight the vital role that our speed enforcement vans play in keeping our roads safe.

"The investment in additional vans demonstrates my unwavering commitment to reducing the number of people tragically and avoidably killed and seriously injured on our roads.

"Speeding is a major factor in road collisions, and we will continue to take robust action against those who put themselves and others at risk.

We must do everything possible to make our roads safe."

Traffic and Safer Travel Chief Inspector Keeley Bevington, added: "These numbers are deeply concerning.

"Speeding is not just a minor infraction; it's a dangerous and reckless act that can have devastating consequences.

"We are working tirelessly to enforce speed limits and hold offenders accountable.

"We urge all drivers to stick to the speed limit and prioritise the safety of themselves and others on the road."

References

1. ^ Solihull (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
2. ^ Drivers left baffled by 'most confusing' road sign - do you know what it means? (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
3. ^ Get all the latest motoring news sent to your inbox by signing up to our new newsletter here (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
4. ^ Sandwell (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
5. ^ Small Heath (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
6. ^ West Midlands Police (www.birminghammail.co.uk)