140mph drive filmed and posted on Facebook investigated by police

The film, uploaded to social networking site Facebook, appears to show a driver recording life-threatening exploits on the B4449 on a hand-held video recorder, cutting away to show the speedometer as it peaks and the engine screams.
It was posted on May 19, at 2.20pm on a Facebook page with the misspelt caption: “Newbury to wantage road love itt.”
There is no suggestion that the person on whose Facebook page the film appears was the driver behind the wheel in the footage.
The road has previously been the focus of controversy, after the Newbury Weekly News revealed in 2006 that motorcyclists were using the stretch as a racetrack.
In an extract from the Yamaha XJR Owners’ Club website forum, a user nicknamed Wahoo enthused: “It has everything: twisties, straights, ups and downs – a real roller coaster and the best thing... no cameras or law!”
Other forum users concur, with one stating: “It’s a famously fast road so I gave the motor a damn good thrashing... a good death is dying doing what floats your boat.” There are similar posts on other motoring forums.
A road safety campaign was subsequently launched by Alison McGregor, who was also concerned about the number of fatalities on the road, five since 2000.
West Berkshire Council has since installed vehicle-activated speed signs at the most dangerous spots.
Mrs McGregor said yesterday: “I’m horrified by this film. We ran a successful campaign and, to my knowledge, there have been no fatalities since.
“We actually saved lives but if people are being encouraged to go at insane speeds along there, it’s only a matter of time before someone is killed.
“It might not be the person who was driving in the film – it could be a young mother with children.”
Mrs McGregor has moved to Devon but said that she was proud of what she helped to achieve.
The post has been reported tothe police by a member of the public.
Thames Valley Police are investigating but had not responded to requests for a comment as the Newbury Weekly News went to press on Wednesday.