Shocking footage captured a driver speeding at 100mph on a busy highway before dozing off at the wheel while other vehicles passed by. Maldini Fernandes, 31, was found guilty of dangerous driving for recklessly navigating the middle of a live motorway, hitting speeds of 100mph on the M4 in the early hours of January 18. The video showed him flashing his lights at other drivers before eventually stopping at 1:20 am between Junction 9 for Maidenhead and Junction 11 for Reading, remaining stationary in an active lane as cars continued to whiz past for about 20 minutes.
Thames Valley Police reported that Fernandes was asleep for a total of 20 minutes during the incident. Following his conviction, Fernandes, residing in Southall, West London, received a suspended 30-week prison sentence for dangerous driving and a further 12-week suspended sentence for failing to provide a breath sample while in custody, along with a fine of over £200.
Released footage displayed the high-speed journey with the road blurring beneath Fernandes’s car, as he flashed his lights to signal other vehicles to move out of his way. He was also disqualified from driving for three years and mandated to complete 150 hours of unpaid work, as per TVP. Thankfully, there were no serious injuries or fatalities in this instance, but the importance of avoiding driving while fatigued was highlighted by authorities.
Driving fatigue poses a significant risk on the roads, with Professor Steven Lockley from the University of Surrey emphasizing its dangers even more than alcohol or drugs. National Highways warned about the spike in fatigue-related incidents during the summer months, with a 59% increase in deaths occurring between June and August compared to the winter months. Sheena Hague, director of road safety at National Highways, stressed the critical impact of fatigue on driving performance and urged drivers to plan ahead, take breaks, and stay alert to prevent potential accidents.
