Driver Stopped Going 125 Mph On New York Highway Said He Was Late For Work

If you think being late for work is a good excuse to drive more than 120 mph, New York State Police have a reminder that it definitely isn't.

We've all been there. The alarm doesn't go off, traffic is worse than expected, or you're running behind because life happens. But trying to make up for lost time by driving at more than 120 mph isn't just dangerous—it's putting everyone else on the road at risk.

Driver Caught Going 125 MPH in Upstate New York

A driver in Central New York learned that lesson the hard way after getting pulled over while flying down Interstate 81 at a speed that most of us only see on a racetrack. According to the New York State Police, Trooper Carbone stopped a driver traveling an astonishing 125 mph on the northbound side of Interstate 81 in the Town of Salina, NY.

New York Driver Caught Driving 125 MPH — New York State Police Via Facebook

During the traffic stop, Carbone asked the driver why they were driving so fast; the driver's explanation was simple:

"I was late for work."

That excuse didn't get the driver very far. At 125 mph, they were cited for violations totaling 11 points on their New York driver's license. In New York, accumulating 11 points within an 18-month period can lead to a license suspension after a hearing with the Department of Motor Vehicles.

New York State Police Warning to Drivers — New York State Police Via Facebook

Make Better Choices

State Police couldn't resist adding a little humor to the post, writing, "Somewhere between the speed limit and 125 MPH, common sense got left behind. Let's make better choices."

It's hard to argue with that.

At that speed, a vehicle covers well over 180 feet every second, leaving very little time to react if traffic suddenly slows, another vehicle changes lanes, or debris appears in the roadway. A split-second mistake can quickly turn into a deadly crash.