A driver has been sentenced after being caught travelling at 131mph on the A64 in North Yorkshire, nearly double the road's speed limit.

North Yorkshire Police said the unnamed man was driving an Audi TT when he was recorded hitting the speed near Barton-le-Willows, on the stretch of road between York and Malton. He was caught by a police safety camera vehicle on Saturday, June 20.

The A64 at that location has a speed limit of 70mph. A police spokesperson said the road is the "site of a significant number of previous collisions," underlining concerns about excessive speeds in the area.

The driver pleaded guilty to the speeding offence when he appeared before Harrogate Magistrates' Court. He was ordered to pay fines and costs totalling £1,551 and was handed six penalty points on his licence.

Speaking after the hearing, Richard Fletcher of North Yorkshire Police said speed limits exist for good reason and that breaking them is against the law. He said officers expect drivers to behave responsibly and not travel at extreme speeds, warning that the consequences of doing so "can be devastating."

The case adds to a string of enforcement actions North Yorkshire Police has taken against drivers caught travelling at excessive speeds on the county's roads, with officers repeatedly stressing that high-speed driving significantly raises the risk of serious or fatal collisions. The A64 in particular has long been flagged by police and road safety campaigners as a route where dangerous driving has previously contributed to crashes, making the enforcement of speed limits along the corridor a continuing priority for the force.

By pursuing prosecutions such as this one, North Yorkshire Police says it aims to send a clear message to motorists that speeding will not be tolerated, regardless of the type of vehicle involved or the driver's intentions. The force has urged the public to drive within legal limits at all times, particularly on stretches of road with a known history of collisions, in order to protect both themselves and other road users.

No further details have been released about the driver's identity or any additional circumstances surrounding the offence, as North Yorkshire Police confirmed only the outcome of the court proceedings following the guilty plea.

Source: The York Press

See also our earlier piece: Cyclist in serious condition after Audi 'hit and run' on Foleshill Road