Cameras caught 234 drivers in act of speeding

DANGER ROAD WHERE TEEN WAS KILLED IS MONITORED FOR TWO DAYS

Reporter DRIVERS are being warned to slow down after more than 230 motorists were caught speeding in just two nights on a stretch of road where a young jogger was killed by “idiot” boy racers.

William Dorey died after a crash on the A193 The Links, in Whitley Bay, in May last year.

A court heard Joshua Cherukara and Harry Cable were racing each other on the road just moments before Cherukara lost control and killed 18-year-old William.

Cherukara, 20, and Cable, 18, admitted causing death by dangerous driving and have been jailed for their actions.

Part of that road used to have a 40mph speed limit but was temporarily lowered to 30mph last year.

The lower limit was made permanent in May this year and Northumbria Police has been targeting the whole stretch with mobile camera enforcement vans in an effort to prevent speeding.

Now Sergeant Matt Sykes, from Operation Dragoon, is urging drivers to slow down after 238 people were clocked over the speed limit.

Two motorists were also issued with formal warnings due to their manner of driving – and if caught again their vehicles could be seized.

Sgt Sykes said: “We take speeding very seriously and will take robust action against people who consciously make the decision to drive in a dangerous and careless manner.

“The Links has a speed limit of 30mph for a reason – to protect all road users and pedestrians – and it is imperative that motorists do not exceed this.

“Speeding can have catastrophic consequences and we have serious concerns given the number of those caught in just the two evenings alone.

“Any road identified as having an issue with persistent speeding could be subject to the force’s Operation OWL and will receive additional police attention.

“If you’re caught speeding you could be disqualified from driving, receive points on your licence and be fined up to £1,000.

“Going over the limit is simply unacceptable and it could kill – so we’d urge motorists to think twice about their actions.”

William had been out for a jog close to his home when the fatal collision took place.

Cherukara and Cable had been racing for more than four miles from Blyth in a sustained and deliberate course of dangerous driving, Newcastle Crown Court heard.

One witness described them as “idiots”, as did another road-user who encountered them and who said it was clear they were racing.

It was said Cherukara was doing more than 80mph in the 30mph zone when he lost control, mounted a pavement and ploughed into William.

The teenager was catapulted 53 metres down the road, suffering severe injuries.

Cherukara, 20, of Dachet Road, Whitley Bay, and Cable, 18, of Deneholm, Whitley Bay, were both jailed.

Cherukara was sent to a young offenders’ institution for six years and nine months and Cable got four-anda-half years.

Both are banned from driving for four years after their release and must sit extended tests if they want to get their licences back.

Earlier this year, members of the community held a public meeting to discuss road safety issues and local councillors have also raised the issue.

North Tyneside Council’s highways team proposed a number of meas- ure s including cutting the dual carriagew a y down to one lane and adding a raised pedestrian crossing to improve road safety in the area. William Dorey, who died after a crash on The Links at Whitley Bay