A TEENAGE learner driver was caught speeding at 115mph down a Lancashire motorway in a Skoda.


Adeel Shah of Tenby Close, Blackburn, was only 17 when he was stopped on the M55 near Blackpool by police, a court heard.


Shah lied and gave his brother’s name to police when asked by officers for his personal details.


Shah, now 18, who at the time was 30 days off passing his test, pleaded guilty to speeding, driving without insurance, not in accordance with his provisional licence and obstructing police at Blackpool Magistrates Court.

He was fined £165 with £85 costs plus £30 victims surcharge and was given six penalty points on his licence, meaning he will revert to being a learner driver and have to retake his test.


Prosecuting, Peter Bardsley, said on June 2 at 3.45pm police were attracted to Shah driving a Skoda Octavia hatchback because it was the fastest vehicle on the motorway near Kirkham.


Officers followed Shah and clocked him driving at 115mph, the court heard. 
He was stopped and shown video footage of his driving. 


At first he gave his brother’s name but then admitted his true identity telling police he had lied because he did not have a full licence.


Kathryn Jamieson-Sinclair, defending, said Shah, who had been loaned the car by a family friend, was deeply remorseful and offered no explanations or excuses for his behaviour.


Magistrates heard Shah had only passed his driving test 10 days ago before the court hearing.


His father was unable to drive because of a back injury so Shah ferried family members including his mother and sisters around and needed the car to do work for the family business.


The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (ROSPA) said motorists travelling at high speeds are more likely to crash because driver errors are magnified.


A spokesman said: “Drivers and riders who are travelling at inappropriate speeds are more likely to crash and their higher speed means that the crash will cause more severe injuries, to themselves and/or to other road users. 


“Inappropriate speed also magnifies other driver errors, such as driving too close or driving when tired or distracted, multiplying the chances of these types of driving causing an accident.


“When cars are hit from the side, drivers are at a much greater risk: in a collision at 40 mph the risk of a belted driver being killed is 85 per cent.”