Driver banned after speeding at more than 100mph on A23
Police say a serious collision was avoided by sheer luck
A man who drove at speeds in excess of 100mph on the A23 in West Sussex has been banned from the roads.
Richard Freshwater was seen undertaking and overtaking other traffic at excessive speed on the stretch at Warninglid on March 17th last year.
PC Mark Stoner, on an unmarked police motorcycle, pursued and stopped Freshwater, who said he was trying to get to work in Manor Royal, Crawley, to chair a national meeting ahead of the Covid lockdown.
The 46-year-old store manager of Hawkins Road in Shoreham, was arrested and charged with dangerous driving.
However, on April 9th, after a two-day trial at Chichester Crown Court, a jury found him not guilty of dangerous driving but instead guilty of driving without due care and attention.
He was disqualified from driving for three months, his licence was endorsed with six penalty points and he was ordered to pay a £1,000 fine.
Speaking after the verdict, PC Stoner said:
“Richard Freshwater posed a serious and considerable risk to other road users on the morning in question.
“Had any of those unsuspecting drivers decided to change lane or brake for whatever reason, a collision would have been unavoidable due to the speed and manner which Freshwater chose to drive at.
“It could have been a very different outcome that morning, and it is only by luck that a collision didn’t occur and that nobody was seriously injured.”
The judge praised PC Stoner for his bravery and dedication in protecting the public from the risk posed by Freshwater.
PC Stoner added:
“Speeding and careless driving are two of the five most common causes of fatal and serious injuries on our roads, along with drink/drug-driving, mobile phone use and not wearing a seatbelt. These are referred to as the ‘fatal five’ offences for a reason.”