228 km/h speedster nabbed

2005-08-21 13:38

Johannesburg - Six people were arrested on the East Rand on Sunday for travelling at speeds in excess of 181km/h, Ekurhuleni metro police said.

"One BMW was doing 228km/h," said metro police spokesman Wilfred Kgasago.

Kgasago said 850 people were stopped for travelling at speeds of between 131km/h and 180km/h.

The arrests and stops were made on the N3 highway near the Linksfield turn-off and on the R59 near Kliprivier.

"The speed limit is 120km/h on a freeway," he said.

The six people who exceeded 180km/h will appear in court on Monday.

"There is no admission of guilt fine for people who exceed 180km/h. One is arrested on the spot, and appears in court."

If a driver is stopped doing between 121 and 180km/h, they have an option of paying a fine.

"For every 5km over the limit we add on R100."

Kgasago said the top speeds and cars were: BMW 228km/h, Mercedes-Benz 200km/h, BMW 194km/h, Jaguar 187km/h and Audi 182km/h.

"Some people smiled, while others made excuses like their shop alarm had gone off, or they were going to a funeral, or to Swaziland, and so on.

"Others were surprised that we had stopped them, but we just take them to the police station and open a docket."

Kgasago said some drivers paid fines of between R500 and R1000.

"You can only pay and admission of guilt fine if you travel between 120 and 180km/h, he said.

The special operation lasted from 07:00 until 10:00.

- SAPA