Record number of motorists convicted of speeding in West Yorkshire

The new figures from the Ministry of Justice show 15,849 motorists caught on the region’s roads were convicted in courts for speeding offences in 2022.

This was up 27 per cent from the 12,480 convictions the year before, and the highest since comparable records began in 2014.

Overall, more than half of the 27,861 motorists caught by West Yorkshire Police who ended up in court for speeding were convicted of the offence.

Most people caught speeding are handed a £100 fine and either penalty points or invited to participate in a retraining course.

But cases involving serious incidents, or motorists denying exceeding the limit often end up in court, where fines can reach a maximum of £2,500 for speeding on a motorway.

A speedometer (Image: Pixabay)

The Telegraph & Argus has reported on a number of speeding convictions in 2022, including two cases at Bradford and Keighley Magistrates’ Court with one driver reaching 140mph on the M62 and another at 114mph.

In August last year, Zahid Tabraiz, 38, appeared at court where he was fined £700 for reaching double the speed limit on the M62 at Scammonden on June 5, 2021.

Tabraiz, of Dingley Road, Huddersfield, was caught by manned equipment.

In addition, Ryan Green, 32, was caught by an automatic camera between junctions 28 and 27, on the westbound side of the M62 doing 114mph.

Green, of Clarence Street in Royton, Greater Manchester, was fined £308 in June last year for the incident on December 6, 2020.

Both men received six points on their licences.

The M606 in Bradford

Furthermore, a man was fined £196 after being caught speeding at 110mph on the M606 southbound in Bradford.

Obaid Hussain, 40, of Broomhill Terrace, Batley Carr, Batley, was handed six driving licence points by Kirklees Magistrates’ Court during the hearing in August 2022.

Earlier this year the T&A also reported on the highest recorded speeds recorded on Bradford’s roads in 2022, following a request under Freedom of Information rules.

West Yorkshire Police revealed that two VW Golf drivers were behind the highest speeds clocked by a speed camera and officers on duty.

The highest speed recorded by a speed camera on a road in Bradford district in 2022 was 112 mph.

This was recorded on B6145 Thornton Road, Bradford, which has a 30mph speed limit.

In relation to officer-stopped speeding offences, the highest speed recorded on a road in Bradford district in 2022 was 90 mph.

This was recorded on Mayo Avenue, Bradford – again a 30mph limit.

A mobile speed camera van

The figures come as a major push is underway to improve safety on the region's roads with West Yorkshire's mayor, Tracy Brabin, saying the issue remains a high priority.

More than £20,000 is being used on initiatives including information packs, which are distributed to support people affected by incidents on the roads.

Ms Brabin said: "Each and every road death is a tragedy, and we are working with partners to reduce deaths and serious injuries on our roads.

"We're committed to a 'Vision Zero' ambition in West Yorkshire, with the aim of eliminating all road deaths and serious injuries by 2040, working across all five districts."

Bradford and Keighley Magistrates' Court (Image: Newsquest)

The RAC Foundation said the rise in convictions across England and Wales makes for "grim reading" as speeding plays a significant part in road collisions.

RAC road safety spokesperson Simon Williams said: "The fact the number of court convictions has risen in just a year seems to imply an increase in the proportion of serious cases having to be dealt with in legal proceedings.

"While it is clearly wrong to be just a few miles an hour over the limit, arguably it is prolific excessive speeders who are putting people’s lives in danger. An increase in these drivers will have frightening consequences for the safety of our roads," he said.

He added while it is positive to see drivers are being caught for breaking speed limits, it would be better if they just stuck to them.

Across England and Wales, 236,480 motorists were convicted in court for exceeding the speed limit in 2022. It was a 16 per cent rise from 203,545 the year prior and was the highest since at least 2014.