Speeding fines: new rules could land more motorists with £2,500 penalty
New speeding fine rules could see motorists charged up to 150% of their weekly income
Speeding motorists could see the size of their fines increase by up to 50% under strict new changes being introduced today (April 24).
The Sentencing Council, which is imposing the new guidelines, says it wants to see a "clear increase in penalty" as the severity of the crimes increase.
It means many more motorists found guilty of speeding will have to pay the maximum £2,500 fine.
Interestingly, a poll last week by consumer site Honest John found that eight in 10 motorists were unaware of the new penalty charges.
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What's changing?
For more serious speeding offences (band C, as shown below), magistrates can now charge up to 150% of the motorist’s weekly income (previously 100%).
However, the cap on the maximum value of speeding fines is not increasing. This stands at £1,000 – or £2,500 if a driver is caught speeding on the motorway.
Responses from a consultation with magistrates and criminal justice professionals shows that current guidelines do not "properly take into account the increase in potential harm that can result as speed above the speed limit increases".
Magistrates are being advised to further adjust sentencing based on "aggravating factors" such as previous convictions and weather conditions.
The changes will come into force across England and Wales from today.
|
Speed limit (mph) |
Recorded speed (mph) |
||
|
20 |
41 and above |
31 – 40 |
21 – 30 |
|
30 |
51 and above |
41 – 50 |
31 – 40 |
|
40 |
66 and above |
56 – 65 |
41 – 55 |
|
50 |
76 and above |
66 – 75 |
51 – 65 |
|
60 |
91 and above |
81 – 90 |
61 – 80 |
|
70 |
101 and above |
91 – 100 |
71 – 90 |
|
Sentencing range |
Band C fine |
Band B fine |
Band A fine |
|
Points/disqualification |
Disqualify 7 – 56 days OR 6 points |
Disqualify 7 – 28 |
3 points |
Source: Sentencing Council
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Comments
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The scum that think these laws up can be expected to have high incomes.... that is why they set an upper limit! Also, many of the really high earners have stuff in place to limit their tax, by very clever accountants. Not difficult for them to declare a very small 'income'. In some cases they would be 'earning' such a small amount that they would get a refund from a sympathetic judiciary....
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Fenmore, Travelling down the M4 and others it is blatently obvious that most of those doing !00mph plus are driving £50,000 vehicles. They probably know ways of escaping the points and a small fine is a minor inconvenience. However, those who are on benefits and drive similarly tend to escape lightly so it may need a bit of a balance. Personally, having driven in excess of 2,000,000 miles in the past 50 years and avoided a speeding fine by working on the basis that there are speed cameras everywhere, I should support the rules allowing speed cameras to be hidden. I can remember in the mid 1960s knowing drivers being pulled over by plain cars for doing 32 MPH in 30 limits and being given hefty fines. In recent times it seems that many drivers think that 30 limit means anywher between 30 & 45 is OK. It has to stop somewhere.
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I think if your stupid enough to speed at these speeds you should be fined. You may think your safe but you don't know what will happen a tire could blow or someone could pull out in front of you or you could loose control. Speed limits are there for a reason with safety devices cars are safer and your more likely to survive a crash. But if your speeding at these speeds then your brainless as you won't get anywhere faster if you crash or kill someone. Just think if your family and friend were injured by someone speeding would you think the fines are wrong? If it makes people think again before speeding then good on them for increasing fines. But you just need the Police around to catch them in the act but with Police funding decreasing the resources are not there to inforce them. I hope they use these extra funds to give more funds for the Police.
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29 April 2017