Speeding Fines To Increase

From April 24th Drivers breaking the speed limit are to face tougher penalties dependent on their income.

According to the Sentencing Council, the rise aims to provide a “clear increase in fine level as the seriousness of offending increases”.

Currently the minimum penalty you can expect to receive for speeding is a £100 fine and 3 penalty points added to your licence, but the maximum fine of £1,000 will remain the same unless the offence actually takes place on a motorway where the maximum fine is £2,500.

The new fines structure will be banded from A – C depending on the excess of speed.

Band A speeding fine

A Band A speeding fine would be appropriate if you are caught speeding between 31-40 in a 30mph zone, and you can expect to receive a fine equivalent to 50% of your weekly income, and 3 penalty points on your driving licence.

Band B speeding fine

A Band B speeding fine for anyone doing between 41-50mph, in which case you'd face a fine equivalent to 100% of your weekly income, and 4 penalty points on your driving licence, or disqualification from driving for up to 28 days.

Band C speeding fine

A Band C speeding fine means that anyone speeding at 51mph or above in a 30mph limit faces a fine equivalent to 150% of their weekly income, and 6 penalty points on their driving licence, or disqualification from driving for up to 56 days. If you’re disqualified for 56 days or more you must apply for a new licence before you're able to start driving again.

The starting point applies to all offenders irrespective of plea or previous convictions. 

Examples are:

Pete Williams, RAC road safety spokesman, said: "Anyone who breaks the limit excessively is a danger to every other road user and is unnecessarily putting lives at risk. Hopefully, hitting these offenders harder in the pocket will make them think twice before doing it again in the future.

"While greater sentences for excessive speeders are obviously a deterrent, the best deterrent of all is more effective enforcement."