150MPH Sussex Speeder Gets Disqualification

Friday, 4 December 2020 12:14

By John Warburton @Warblefly

150mph pursuit on the A27 around Lewes (Video: Sussex Police)

A man caught speeding up to 150mph during the first lockdown has been disqualified from driving.

PC Andre Owen, of the Roads Policing Unit, was on routine patrol on the A27 on the evening of 10 May.

While travelling eastbound towards Lewes, he was overtaken by two vehicles travelling well in excess of the 70mph national speed limit.

One car slowed as he caught up with them, but the other continued to reach speeds of up to 150mph.

PC Owen indicated for the Audi A6 TDI to pull over, which it did, and the driver was identified as Maeteusz Kryskow, 33, of Windmill Road, Polegate.

You can see video of what happened at the foot of this story.

Kryskow was reported for summons to face a charge of dangerous driving, and at Brighton Magistrates’ Court on 25 November, he was disqualified from driving for 20 months.

He must take an extended re-test should he wish to drive again.

He was also given a community order, requiring him to carry out 80 hours of unpaid work, and ordered to pay £85 costs and a £95 victim surcharge.

Chief Inspector Michael Hodder, of the Surrey and Sussex Roads Policing Unit, said:

“I am appalled by the manner of driving demonstrated by the defendant.

"It’s extremely fortunate he did not seriously injure or kill himself or someone else that day, and his actions can only be described as reckless, dangerous and completely irresponsible.

“There may have been fewer vehicles on the roads during lockdown, but that had absolutely no bearing on our decision to prosecute the driver – speed kills, and it’s an offence we take extremely seriously.

“Travelling at such a high speed significantly reduces your braking distance, and the faster you drive, the less time you have to react if something unexpected happens. It also massively reduces your chances of surviving a crash.

“Our officers are highly skilled and receive regular training to respond to incidents such as this, as part of our ongoing commitment to reducing the number of people killed and seriously injured on our roads.”

Police say excess speed is one of the five most common causes of fatal and serious injury collisions in the UK.

In Sussex last year, officers recorded 1,395 speed-related collisions which resulted in injuries.

Of these, 315 were serious injuries and a further 18 were fatal.

Chief Insp Hodder added:

“We ask all road users to obey the speed limits and remember that they are a limit; not a target. Slowing down could save a life.”