Speeding Wars

In rural Wales, Dyfed Powys Police have a problem with drivers using their roads as if they were race-tracks. Throughout the summer, the police carry out special operations targeting those who put their lives and the lives of others in danger, so they can experience the thrill of going fast. Unfortunately, with so many vehicles exceeding the limits, it’s not long before accidents happen. In contrast, the Isle of Man has no speed limits at all on some of its country roads. Every year, they hold the Isle of Man TT Races, which sees bikers racing up to 200mph. But it’s also an excuse for bike fanatics from all over the world to head to the island and try the roads out for themselves - driving as fast as they can without breaking the law. Across the UK, members of the public have taken speeding matters into their own hands. In Ticknall, Derbyshire, Kevin Harris has set up a Speed Watch group determined to combat speeding drivers. But it’s not just the drivers who are unhappy. Kevin, however, is unrepentant and committed to making his local road safer. We also meet Perry Antoniou, the owner of a drag racing team, who has allegedly been clocked driving at 84mph in a 50 zone. He calls in specialist motoring solicitor, Hojol Uddin, at great expense, to take his case all the way to court, rather than take the three points that would potentially damage his reputation.

Some drivers have taken speeding to terrifying extremes. Every weekend, all over the country, fast and furious boy racers gather to speed, hitting over 100mph on public roads. One of the most notorious locations is Lakeside in Essex. Filming with both the extreme speeders and Essex Police, we follow the officers of Operation Wagtail as they go undercover to try to catch boy racers breaking the law. But while the night may belong to the boy racers, by day, a different kind of speeder hits the road: commuters. And Keith Smith, a Special Constable in Essex, has dedicated the last 17 years of his life to catching them. Filming him in action we see all the excuses, tears and tantrums as everyday motorists are caught exceeding the limits. But Keith's not the only man making a stand. In a small village in Wiltshire, one member of the public has taken the law into his own hands to protect his family and fight back against the speeders who are ruining his village. Chris Fawcett is building his own fake DIY speed camera in his garage. But will it work? Every day someone in Britain is killed by a speeding car, and the series ends with the tragic and poignant story of Liberty Baker, a 14-year-old girl killed whilst walking to school by a young speeding driver. Her heart-breaking story is a powerful reminder of the dangers and consequences of speeding. Liberty's parents are now campaigning to change the law and for the nation to take speeding more seriously, before it’s too late and more are killed on our roads.