Driver flashed at 255kph in Alps

The BMW was going twice the legal limit because its owner wanted to ‘try it out’

A DRIVER has set a new speeding record for the A51 motorway, being flashed at 255kph in the Hautes-Alpes.

A motorway patrol flashed the BMW M3 at 15.30 yesterday, with a hand-held camera, 15km before the la Saulce exit, travelling in the direction of Aix to Gap.

“I just bought it; I wanted to try it out,” said the driver, from Digne, in justification for driving at double the legal speed limit.

The driver – a 39-year-old garage owner – had his licence temporarily confiscated, but his punishment will be ruled on by a court this week.

Only three months ago, an Audi was flashed at 242kph on the same road, which has a speed limit of 130kph. It comes as figures for last year have shown a particularly high rate of accidents in the area.