Speeding drivers to face stiffer penalties

DRIVERS convicted of the most serious speeding offences are set to face harsher penalties.

Under a new set of sentencing guidelines for magistrates, fines for motorists caught travelling well above the speed limit will start from 150 per cent of their weekly income – rather than the existing level of 100 per cent.

The Sentencing Council said the move aimed to ensure that there is a “clear increase in penalty as the seriousness of offending increases”.

Offenders

It follows responses to a consultation arguing that previous guidelines did not properly take into account the increase in potential harm that can result as speed above the limit rises.

Speeding is among offences covered in new sentencing guidelines published today.

They will be used to sentence adult offenders in all magistrates’ courts in England and Wales from April 24.

Malcolm Richardson of the Magistrates’ Association said the measures “will further help ensure the consistent effectiveness of the magistracy”.