Lotus Boss Nabbed Doing 102 MPH On UK Highway

Lotus chief executive Jean-Marc Gales has been clocked doing 102 mph in a 70 mph zone in the UK and hit with a 30-day driving ban.

The Telegraph reports that the 54-year-old was test driving one of the brand’s latest models on the A11 near its Norwich headquarters.

For driving 32 mph over the speed limit, a UK driver would ordinarily be hit with six points on their license or disqualified from driving for up to 56 days. When Gales’ lawyer, Simon Nicholls, went to Norwich magistrates’ court on behalf of his client, he said it would be more appropriate to ban Gales from driving for a short period of time, rather than adding to the eight points he already had.

Chairman of the bench, Mary Wyndham, agreed and hit the Lotus boss with a 30-day ban. She told Gales’ lawyer that he should avoid using the A11 to test the brand’s cars and instead stick to its test track.

Not everyone is satisfied with the court’s decision. Speaking to local media, director of campaigns at road safety charity Brake, Joshua Harris, said Gales is lucky to have not been punished further.

“There is no justification for travelling at the speeds demonstrated in this case and Mr Gales should count himself lucky that he did not receive an additional six points on his licence, resulting in a 12-month ban.”

Gales was caught driving at 96 mph on the same road in 2014, hit with five points and a fine of almost £400.