MORE than a quarter of people admit they have been in a car travelling over 100mph on a public road, new statistics have revealed.

New research from the road safety charity Brake found 27 per cent of people surveyed in the South East have been a passenger in a car speeding over 100 mph.

And 15 per cent of drivers admitted they had driven in excess of 100mph on a public road.

The survey found men are three times more likely to drive above 100mph than women, with more than one in four men admitting being guilty of doing so.

The findings, from a survey of more than 2,000 UK drivers, were released to mark Road Safety Week 2020, which ends tomorrow, which is highlighting road danger with the message “No need to speed”.

Regional data submitted by Sussex Police to the charity about the highest excess speed in 2019 over specified limits revealed alarming results. The highest speed recorded by the force in a 30mph zone was a staggering 92mph.

One driver was clocked at 134mph in a 70mph zone.

Roads Minister Baroness Vere said: “Speeding is illegal, reckless and puts people’s lives at unnecessary risk.

“For this reason, there are tough penalties and strict enforcement measures in place for those who disobey the law.

“We’re working hard to change attitudes that lead to speeding, including through our Think! campaign which targets young men.

“The stories of families who have lost loved ones are absolutely heart-breaking.

“So please always remember there is no need to speed.”

According to the data analysed by the charity, the highest excess speed was a driver travelling at 152mph in a 30mph zone, which was recorded by the Metropolitan Police.

The highest speed overall was 180mph, captured by Nottinghamshire Police in a 70mph zone.

Drivers caught exceeding 100mph on public roads face a driving ban of up to eight weeks and a fine of 150 per cent of their weekly income.