Police are warning drivers about extreme speeding as there have been ten fatal crashes in London since the beginning of lockdown restrictions.

The Met’s Road and Transport Policing Command are urging drivers to slow down while driving, with 1,656 extreme speeding offences recorded since the lockdown, compared to the 684 offences during the same period in 2019.

With the lockdown restrictions in place and roads emptier than normal, officers have issued more than 4,000 speed enforcement notices, while only 2,300 were issued in the same period last year.

This equates to a 71 per cent increase in speeding enforcement, despite there being 40 per cent less traffic on the road.

And since lockdown restrictions began, there have been ten fatal crashes recorded in London, with speeding considered to be the likely cause.

Detective Superintendent Andy Cox, of the Metropolitan Police, said: “The majority of Londoners have followed government advice and have stayed at home.

“However, a small number of individuals have gone against the advice and have used this opportunity to abuse the less congested roads and drive at excess speed and in many cases extreme speeds.

“In doing so, their actions increase the risk to their own safety and that of other road users and in the event of a collision can lead to devastating consequences for themselves, and bereaved family and friends.

“Going into the Bank Holiday weekend, we urge drivers to only make the most essential journeys and to do so sensibly, safely and lawfully.

“The objective of any journey is to get from one location to another safely, and there is absolutely no reason to travel at speeds above the limit, posing risks to yourself and other road users.

“To keep people safe and make a real change to driving standards and behaviour we all need to treat speeding as socially unacceptable in the same manner society rightly treats drink driving.”

He continued: “During these unprecedented times, dealing with road traffic collisions puts a lot of additional, yet avoidable pressure on the NHS and other emergency services, who are working on the frontline 24 hours a day to keep London safe.

“Traffic officers continue to police the roads, 24/7, and will use enforcement against those breaking the law. Our message is simple; slow down, respect the speed limits, you’re not only risking your life but those of other people.”