Salesman clocked over 100mph escapes driving ban

1:59pm Thursday 7th February 2013 in News

A SALESMAN who was recorded driving at speeds of more than 100mph on a dual carriageway has escaped a ban.

Michael Lemmon, 31, of Fulthorpe Road, in Stockton, admitted a charge of speeding when he appeared at Darlington Magistrates’ Court.

Jonathan Bambro, prosecuting, told the court that a police officer was driving an unmarked car at 12.20pm on July 30 on the A66 bypass, in Darlington, when he was overtaken by a BMW 330 convertible.

The officer followed the BMW and was able to monitor its speed for more than two miles, with an average speed of 104mph. The maximum speed officially measured was 120mph.

Lemmon, who represented himself in court, apologised for his actions and said there had been no excuse for his speed.

He added: “I was driving the way I was because I was frustrated at having to go and pick up my car after a night out and I was late for a meeting. I’ve since got rid of the car and tried to change my driving style.

“My licence is fundamental to my job, I’m on the road constantly as a salesman.”

Magistrates allowed Lemmon to stay on the road by adding five points to his licence, avoiding an automatic ban under the totting up procedure. He was fined £825 and ordered to pay costs of £85 and an £82 victim surcharge.

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Comments (3)

4:40pm Thu 7 Feb 13

bishop1 says...

there has to be some common sense when dealing with cases such as this , automatically banning someone for doing over 100 is sometimes way OTT.
obviously i was not present at the time & so cannot comment on the exact situation.
but in my opinion on the right stretch of road ( in decent conditions) I would see no problem with someone travelling at 100mph except for the obvious fact that it is illegal .
conditions such as an empty motorway in the early hours , now obviously this does not mean in heavy traffic or during a rain storm , common sense .
there has to be some common sense when dealing with cases such as this , automatically banning someone for doing over 100 is sometimes way OTT. obviously i was not present at the time & so cannot comment on the exact situation. but in my opinion on the right stretch of road ( in decent conditions) I would see no problem with someone travelling at 100mph except for the obvious fact that it is illegal . conditions such as an empty motorway in the early hours , now obviously this does not mean in heavy traffic or during a rain storm , common sense . bishop1

8:31pm Thu 7 Feb 13

HSC says...

hhhmm.....right stretch of road....a66 bypass around darlington with 5 roundabouts within what 5 miles?

Plus he was doing 120 which is another 20% over 100. imagine him hitting you and your family in your car!

Ban him - dangerous driving!
hhhmm.....right stretch of road....a66 bypass around darlington with 5 roundabouts within what 5 miles? Plus he was doing 120 which is another 20% over 100. imagine him hitting you and your family in your car! Ban him - dangerous driving! HSC

11:24am Fri 8 Feb 13

Spy Boy says...

If your license is so important for your life and work, then you do your best to retain it. Driving at 120 mph is not the best way. I would have given him 11 points and a huge fine this time. That would send the message not to do it again. I use the roads around there quite a lot and drive right up to the limit. I still see people passing me as if I was standing still, every day.

If cars are so smart then why are they not limited to 80mph by the manufacturers ? I'm sure you all know the answer to that one.
If your license is so important for your life and work, then you do your best to retain it. Driving at 120 mph is not the best way. I would have given him 11 points and a huge fine this time. That would send the message not to do it again. I use the roads around there quite a lot and drive right up to the limit. I still see people passing me as if I was standing still, every day. If cars are so smart then why are they not limited to 80mph by the manufacturers ? I'm sure you all know the answer to that one. Spy Boy

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