A MOTORIST has been caught doing 144mph on a motorway in Avon and Somerset - the fastest recorded speed in the UK so far this year.

The driver, who was clocked by cops at the M4 Junction 20 to 19 eastbound, is among thousands caught over the limit on roads in the force area since the start of 2015.

FOI data obtained by price comparison site Confused.com reveals that 85,2752 motorists were caught speeding by police using mobile cameras last year in Avon and Somerset – 35% up on 2013.

A further 23,173 were caught by fixed speed cameras in 2014.

Despite there being 26 fixed camera sites and 12 mobile camera units in use by the force and a significant amount being caught speeding, motorists in the South-West are still taking their chances.

In fact, according to Confused.com, the majority of motorists in the region are notorious for exceeding speed limits, - 62% admit they drive faster than the limit, with 16% doing so daily.

Of those who speed, 8% say they don’t think they will get caught, despite statistics showing 31% of motorists in the South-West have been done for speeding.

A total of 66% of those say they have been caught speeding once, while 17% admit to having been caught twice and 17% have been nabbed three times or more.

The most common reason behind motorists in the South-West speeding is because they are impatient on the roads - 34% say they usually speed because other drivers are too slow so they speed to overtake them.

But 33% speed when they’re running late and 30% say they don’t mean to speed but they don’t pay enough attention to how fast they're going.

Being caught speeding can have many repercussions, from a fine and points on your driving licence to a driving ban, not to mention increased insurance premiums.

Gemma Stanbury, head of motor insurance at Confused.com, said: "It is concerning to see so many motorists in the South-West disregarding the speed limits on their roads.

"Already this year a driver in Avon and Somerset has been caught driving more than twice the national speed limit, 144mph.

"Although speed limits and cameras have been put in place, it would seem they are not having the desired impact at all.

“Speed restrictions are on our roads for a purpose – to keep us safe.

"And, unfortunately when these speed limits are overlooked, accidents can occur.

"Having speeding convictions on your licence can also increase your insurance premium as offenders can be seen as a higher risk.”