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Teenage driver faces charges over 140mph YouTube video
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A teenager who allegedly filmed himself driving at 140mph and posted the video on the YouTube website will face criminal charges, police said today.
The 19-year-old man is accused of filming himself driving at high speeds on the A76, in south west Scotland, Dumfries and Galloway Constabulary said.
A report has been sent to the procurator fiscal, and he is due to appear at Dumfries Sheriff Court.
Sergeant Scott McLachlan said: "This young man illustrated some completely foolish behaviour.
"Not only did he endanger his own life but that of other road-users. It is unacceptable, and to post a recording of such driving on the internet is entirely stupid.
"Certain drivers may think it is bravado to record themselves driving at high speeds but I am convinced this opinion would change if they ended up seriously injured as a result."
He went on: "Young men in particular seem to think they are invincible behind the wheel but the facts tell a different story, with one in three fatal accidents involving drivers under the age of 25."
Figures released by the Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland (Acpos) last week showed road deaths among the under-25s shot up 30% in the past year.
Police called a major summit to discuss the issue, which will take place on September 6 in Perth.
Meanwhile, Lothian and Borders Police confirmed they are looking into another video showing reckless driving.
The two-minute clip shows a car travelling on the B6436 Morebattle to Bowmont road.
The car appears to be travelling at high speed, and crosses on to the other side of the road on several occasions.
Christine Grahame, SNP MSP for the south of Scotland, condemned the "stupidity" of the driver on the clip.
"The speeds at which this driver is travelling are clearly excessive for the type of road," she said.
"There is a growing trend for this type of video appearing on the web and the drivers responsible, not content with the stupidity of recording their dangerous activity, have extended that idiocy to uploading it on to the internet where they run the risk of being tracked down by police."
Copyright Press Association 2007.
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