New plans for punishing speeding motorists

Drivers will be offered advice on driving more safely

Speeding penalties, could be more flexible in future.

Under government plans, drivers caught speeding could be fined less - if they don't break the speed limit by very much; but more, if they go excessively over the limit.

The Transport Secretary - Alistair Darling, says he wants "the level of the penalty, to fit the severity of the offence".

Breakfast spoke to Alistair Darling.

"Penalty needs to fit the crime."

Mr Darling told us he wants a clear and fair system, with a penalty that fits the crime concerned. He said if you are caught over speed limit, you will be penalised according to how many miles you have gone over the limit. He also confirmed the government's position of wanting people to keep within the speed limit, but he also said the government wants to get the balance right: a penalty system that reflects the crime.

We also heard from Andrew Howard, Head of Road Safety at the AA.

Breakfast's Alex Bushill reported on this story, here's a transcript of his report:

Caught on camera - every motorist's nightmare but now the government is considering doing away with the "one size fits all" approach. And if adopted some penalties will be reduced - others increased.

So how does this sliding scale work?

Well in a 30 miles an hour zone if you're caught doing up to 39 miles an hour you face a 40 pounds fine and 2 penalty points. But drivers who went more than 45 miles an hour would pay 100 pounds and receive 6 points.

What you told Breakfast If we don't want the ticket, we shouldn't break the limit. Rod Axon, Leicester Read more viewers' comments on our Your Say page

As for the national speed limit of 70 miles an hour - if you're travelling up to 83 miles an hour then the lower tariff applies again but if you're doing more than 94 it's 100 pounds and six points again.

The Department of Transport says there is a correlation between higher speeds and the chances of causing a serious accident and this sliding scale aims to reflect that.

But this proposal seem at odds with previous road safety campaigns - which drive home the danger of breaking the 30 limit at all.

But for motorist groups like the AA, it is all about winning the confidence of drivers.

But speed cameras are here to stay, and with research showing that half of children hit at 30mph will die, there will be those who argue these proposals send out a mixed message on road safety.

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