Motorists Oppose Move to Increase Speeding Fines by 50%

The Department for Transport unveiled proposals last week to introduce new fixed penalty notices for careless driving. The plans, designed to deter anti-social driving, include a ??90 on-the-spot, fixed penalty fine with three penalty points to be added to the driver's licence. Offenders could face even higher fines with more serious cases continuing to go through court.

This proposed change will see the penalty for speeding increase by 50% (from ??60 to ??90) - a move that motorists strongly oppose. In a recent Telegraph poll, 79% of respondents believed that increasing speeding fines to ??90 is too much with only 21% believing these plans would send out a strong and meaningful message that speeding is unacceptable.

Similar increases are also expected for other driving offences such as a using a mobile phone whilst at the wheel and not wearing a seat belt. In addition drivers who tailgate or cut up other road users will be hit with an automatic three points on their licence and an ??90 on-the-spot fine.

Faced with the potential of another backlash from the public do you think the Government should proceed with these plans? Have your say below and leave a comment, we'd like to hear your thoughts.