Sliding-scale penalties planned for speeding drivers

Drivers could receive reduced fines for just edging over the speed limit under new Government proposals.

Drivers could receive reduced fines for just edging over the speed limit under new Government proposals.

Penalties could range between £40 and two penalty points for less serious offences and up to £100 and six points for more serious offences.

The Transport Secretary Alistair Darling will announce a consultation on the fairer fines proposals today.

The consultation includes police plans to hold "speed awareness courses" nationwide for people such as first-time offenders in the lower speeding category.

The lower penalty is not expected to apply to people speeding in 20mph speed limits, usually found outside schools and hospitals.

Mr Darling said on GMTV today: "In the case of very serious offences, the authorities can still prosecute you in full.

"There is no question of being soft on speeding. Speeding does kill, but this is just a fairer system."

AA spokeswoman Rebecca Rees said: "I think most motorists would welcome these proposed changes.

"Obviously, there is a big difference between someone who is just over the speed limit and someone who is way over it. But we still need to better educate drivers about the dangers of speeding.

"Speed kills around 1,000 people a year - twice the number killed in drink-drive incidents. Educating people about inappropriate speeds has to be a way forward."