Mid Sussex magistrates sitting at Haywards Heath heard how Dr Faheem Obaidullah, 29, of Byegrove Road, London, reached speeds of up to 139mph on May 11 last year.

But his Ferrari passed an unmarked police car and he was eventually pulled over.

After hearing the evidence, magistrates disqualified Dr Obaidullah from driving for three months and ordered him to pay £1,307 in costs.

Sussex Police's Road Policing Unit Insp Andy Judson said: "This man clearly disregarded not only the speed limit, but also the signs advising drivers that unmarked police cars operate along the A23. And we do operate there, every day and at all hours.

He added: "It is completely unacceptable to drive in this totally irresponsible manner and those who choose to do so will be targeted to prevent them seriously injuring or killing themselves or others."

Insp Jackson said the public can report anti-social and illegal driving themselves through Operation Crackdown.

Sussex Safer Roads Partnership spokesman Neil Hopkins said there were 78 fatal and 943 serious casualties on Sussex roads in 2008.

He said: "That's on average six people a month killed, with around 80 seriously injured. Sadly, we will have continued casualties on our roads which could and should be avoided if continued dangerous and thoughtless actions by individuals on the roads were not connected with excess speed."

Any member of the public concerned about anti-social driving/riding or issues such as drink or drug driving or mobile phone use at the wheel can contact Sussex Police's Operation Crackdown hotline on 01243 642222 or go www.operationcrackdown.org.

Insp Judson said: "We are determined to make speeding as socially and morally unacceptable as drink-driving - it is potentially just as fatal."

The Sussex Safer Roads Partnership has developed the slogan "Safer Roads, Safer Communities: Sharing the Responsibility".

It promotes road safety education, publicity and projects such as SID
(Speed Indicator Devices) and safety cameras to reduce casualties and fatalities.

Education initiatives include Pass Plus, aimed at newly qualified drivers, and the Speed Awareness education course offered to drivers caught at 36/37mph in a 30mph zone and 47mph in a 40mph zone as an alternative to penalty points and a fine.

Drivers are offered the opportunity to attend a one-day Speed Awareness
education course in Sussex which involves a mix of theory and practical elements.

It aims to develop better hazard perception, revision of the Highway Code, understanding of speed limits, potential consequences of exceeding speed limits and speed control strategies - including eco-driving.

Other new SSRP work includes a safety belt campaign promoting the importance of always wearing a seat belt and the Partnership now has advice available to the under-fives in with a new family friendly 'Bump to Five Guide'.

The SSRP consists of West and East Sussex county councils, Brighton and Hove City Council, Sussex Police, the Highways Agency, HM Courts Service – Sussex, East and West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service. See the website at www.SussexSaferRoads.gov.uk for more details.

See full story in this week's Mid Sussex Times on Thursday.