A dangerous driver who was clocked driving 140mph by a speed camera on the A1 said he "cannot catch a break" while being arrested at a petrol station. 

Louis Hayes was caught driving the staggering speed in January - but when he was arrested for dangerous driving told officers he had been doing "80mph or 90mph". 

The 30-year-old - who also said driving at twice the motorway speed limit was “careless, but not dangerous” - has now been disqualified from driving for 12 months after a court appearance. 

Louis Hayes was arrestedLouis Hayes was disqualified from driving for 12 months(Image: DURHAM CONSTABULARY)

Durham Constabulary has now published the video of the incident - as well as footage of Haynes speaking with police officers. 

When being asked if he would have slowed down if he saw the speed camera, Hayes can be heard saying: "Potentially, if I'd seen it, yeah. I didn't even know how fast I was going.

"Honestly to God, I did not know I was going that fast."

When asked how he would describe his driving at 140mph, he said: "Surprising. I didn't think I was going that fast. I wasn't being careless because I was paying attention. 


Recommended reading:

Get more from The Northern Echo with a digital subscription. Get access for 6 months for just £6 in our summer sale. Click here.


"But when you say I was going that fast I'm more scared of, like, how fast I was... I didn't realise I was going that fast!

"When you are in a car and you put your foot down, and you're there within seconds, I wouldn't really say it's dangerous, I'd say it's more careless."

Hayes - who must pass an extended driving test before he can get his license back - was also ordered to pay £199 in costs and must complete 80 hours of unpaid work within 12 months.