Man 'unaware' of 234km/h speed

2007-02-25 14:03

Johannesburg - A man caught driving at 234km/h in a 120km/h zone early on Sunday claimed not to have realised he was speeding, Ekurhuleni Metro police said.

The 25-year-old in his BMW was one of five motorists pulled over in Germiston on the N3 freeway near PPC Cement, said Inspector Kobeli Mokheseng.

A 22-year-old clocked at 182km/h, also in a BMW, was also fined for bearing registration plates in black and not regulation blue.

Three other motorists were arrested for driving between 192km/h and 208km/h.

A ll were arrested and taken to the Germiston police station. Those who were not able to summon a friend or relative to pay bail will spend the night in custody and all five will appear in the Germiston magistrate's court soon.

The arrests form part of the department's "Operation Velocity" campaign to reduce speeding along that stretch of the highway following complaints from other motorists and a high number of accidents.

Since its launch in 2002 arrests for speeding have dropped from an average of 30 to 35 per weekend to around five.

Speedsters travelling up to 180km/h have the option of maximum fine of R1 500, and from 181km/h upwards officers are compelled to take offenders into custody.

- SAPA