A SPEEDING motorist was caught in Cumbria every 13 minutes last year.

New figures released by Cumbria Police over the past year revealed tens of thousands of motorists had been hit with tickets for speeding in 2018.

The county’s worst offender clocked up a lofty speed of 128mph on a Cumbrian road.

Released under Freedom of Information laws, statistics showed more than 39,000 speeding tickets were issued to motorists.

It means speeding drivers were recorded by police 108 times a day last year, around one every 13 minutes.

And more than 400 drivers were caught using a mobile phone at the wheel.

On top of that another 400 motorists were rapped for driving without insurance.

Road safety charity Brake condemned the figures.

A spokesman said: “Driving over the speed limit is selfish, dangerous and puts lives at risk.

“At Brake, we see every day the devastating impact road crashes caused by speeding have on families and communities across the country.

“Speed limits exist to help save lives and it is extremely important that all drivers recognise this.

“It is also vital that speed limits are enforced effectively so that drivers know if they break the speed limit they will be caught and punished, providing a strong deterrent to the menace of speeding on our roads.”

Cumbria Police said over the past 12 months, 26 people had been killed in road traffic collisions with a further 1,507 being injured.

Sergeant Callum Razdan, of Cumbria Police Mobile Support Group, said: “Cumbria Constabulary conduct regular road safety operations on the county’s roads as well as using traffic camera vans and conduct community speed watch initiatives.

“It is disappointing to see such high figures, driving at excess speed is extremely dangerous and can lead to tragic consequences. Speed limits are there for a reason and motorists must abide by these for the safety of themselves and other road users.

“Those who are offered speed awareness courses receive education on the dangers of speeding and often will leave a much safer driver."