09 Nov 07 16:55
The government is considering raising penalties for drivers caught exceeding the speed limit by large margins.
Reports have suggested that drivers doing 45mph or over in a 30mph zone, 57mph or over in a 40mph zone or 94mph and over on a 70mph road may face a £100 fine and six-point penalty, up from the current £60 and three points.
Ministers are also said to be discussing whether to drop plans to reduce penalties for minor infringements to two points and a £40 fine, but lower penalties could still be introduced for such offences in non-residential areas. A consultation document is expected by the end of the year.
In another fine-related initiative, the new Local Transport Bill, published yesterday, will allow the DVLA to liaise with its counterparts in other countries to trace foreign drivers with outstanding fines for parking tickets, congestion charge, bus lane and other offences. It's estimated that there are 700,000 unpaid penalties due on cars registered overseas, with 350,000 unpaid fines for foreign cars a year in London alone.
