From today, the fast track to a bigger fine?

There will be increased speeding fines in operation as from today, April 24th 2017. A much harsher fining system is being brought in to try and crack down on speeding motorists. How much more might you have to pay if you are caught driving over the speed limit?

The previous minimum fine was £100 and the previous maximum fine was £1,000, (or £2,500 if you were caught speeding on the motorway). You could have been fined up to 125% of your weekly salary up to that maximum amount.

Today brings significant changes to sentencing guidelines. The Sentencing Council has said that it wanted a “clear increase in penalty” to curb excessive speeds. From today, the new sentencing guidelines will increase fines up to a maximum of 175% of your weekly salary. (Although, the maximum fines allowed by law do remain the same, and you cannot be fined more than £1,000 unless the speeding occurs on a motorway where the limit is £2,500.) Bear in mind that fines will also be increased for when motorists drive at 41mph or more in a 20mph limit.

Band A fine: 25 - 75% of weekly income 3 points	Band B fine: 75% - 125% of weekly income 7 - 28 days disqualification OR 4 - 6 points	Band C fine: 125 - 175% of weekly income 7 - 56 days disqualification OR 6 points
21 - 30 mph in a 20 mph limit	31 - 40 mph in a 20 mph limit	41mph + in a 20 mph limit
31 - 40 mph in a 30 mph limit	41 - 50 mph in a 30 mph limit	51mph + in a 30 mph limit
41 - 55 mph in a 40 mph limit	56 - 65 mph in a 40 mph limit	66mph + in a 40 mph limit
51 - 65 mph in a 50 mph limit	66 - 75 mph in a 50 mph limit	76mph + in a 50 mph limit
61 - 80 mph in a 60 mph limit	81 - 90 mph in a 60 mph limit	91mph + in a 60 mph limit
71 - 90 mph in a 70 mph limit	91 - 100 mph in a 70 mph limit	101mph + in a 70 mph limit

Although these are the guidelines for sentencing after an offence of speeding has been committed, a judge or magistrate can choose not to follow them when they feel it is not in the interests of justice to do so. In exceptional cases, they could sentence outside of the guidelines.

Of course, first time speeders can avoid the increased fines if they take a speed awareness course, although this option does not apply to repeat offenders.

Initial fines could be varied on the court’s discretion based on different factors in the case.

For example, some variables such as the weather conditions, timing of the offence and population density of the area could affect the severity of the fine.

One criticism that has been made is that the cap on the level of fines of £1,000 (and £2,500 on motorways) means that high-income drivers escape relatively lightly, as they will not be fined to the same percentage in proportion to their higher earnings. There are also questions regarding police resources and their capacity to catch enough motorists who break the law to have a real impact on road safety.