Male drivers 'three times more likely to speed at over 100mph than women'

The figure of 17 per cent rises to 33 per cent for those aged 25 to 34 and to 28 per cent for male drivers, the poll of 2,000 UK motorists commissioned by road safety charity Brake indicated.

In contrast only one in ten women (nine per cent) admitted to driving as fast

The Huddersfield-based charity also analysed data revealing the most extreme speeds recorded by police last year, to mark the start of its Road Safety Week.

The highest speed in the region was 162mph, captured by South Yorkshire Police in a 70mph zone. Humberside Police recorded a driver travelling at 133mph in a 50mph zone.

Forty-four people were killed and a further 143 were seriously injured in crashes on Britain’s roads in 2019 in which speeding was a contributory factor, Department for Transport figures show.

Relatives of victims of speeding have added their voices to the campaign, including Jess Kitson, whose partner of 13-years Andrew was killed by a motorist as he tried to flee from police.

Mr Kitson, who had recently qualified to become a train driver, was killed instantly on June 9 as he walked to his local shop on Leeds Road, Outwood, after Adam Badkin crashed into him at around 80mph.

The 22-year-old, who was later jailed for six years, was disqualified from driving at the time after twice being prosecuted for using his mobile phone while driving.

Mrs Kitson said Andrew was a “truly beautiful soul” and implored people to take care on the roads.

She said: “It only takes a few seconds to become a killer, steal an innocent life and devastate a family. Until the day that I die, I will miss my beautiful Andrew.

“He is gone from this world forever, but it’s not too late to save someone else. Please be careful on the roads. There is absolutely nothing that’s worth taking a life.”

Brake director of campaigns Joshua Harris said: “There is no excuse for breaking the speed limit and these figures highlight the grossly excessive speeds of some drivers who show complete disregard for the law and people’s safety.

“Many drivers drift over limits by mistake but our research shows that a shockingly large number of drivers, particularly men, break speed limits excessively.

“We want all drivers to remember the daily disasters that are due to speed, think about the victims, slow down and reduce road danger.”

Roads Minister Baroness Vere said: “Speeding is illegal, reckless and puts people’s lives at unnecessary risk.

“For this reason, there are tough penalties and strict enforcement measures in place for those who disobey the law.

“We’re working hard to change attitudes that lead to speeding, including through our Think! campaign which targets young men.”