Revised Speeding fines will be effective in the UK from 24th April 2017. From Monday, more serious speeding offenders could be fine up to 50% more than before. As well as this, the maximum fine has went from 100% of their weekly salary to 150%.

The sentencing council say the change in legislation is coming to reduce traffic accidents caused by people who drive over the speed limit.

The minimum penalty for speeding is currently a £100 fine and 3 points added to the license. In 2015, over 160,000 speeders were caught, with the average fine being £188.

Speeding Fine Bands

The government state that the revised legislation and increased fines were made to highlight the increase in potential harm a speeder could cause themselves and others when driving above the limit.

The revised Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, s.89(1) breaks the seriousness of speeding offences into separate bands. The 3 separate bands are:

Band A – This is the lowest level of speeding. This is technically anything over the limit, meaning a driver could be prosecuted for driving 31mph in a 30mph.

This is however unlikely due to many different factors such as faulty speedometers and drivers being too focused on their speedometers instead of the roads. Band A will be given when speeding between:

• 21mph-30mph in a 20mph zone.
• 31mph-40mph in a 30mph zone.
• 71mph-90mph in a 70mph zone.

In this scenario, the driver will most likely receive 3 points on their license and a fine of 50%~ of the driver’s weekly income.

Band B – This band is a more serious offence. This will be given when driving:

• 31mph-40mph in a 20mph zone.
• 41mph-50mph in a 30mph zone.
• 56mph-65mph in a 40mph zone.
• 91mph-100mph in a 70mph zone.

This band can be 4-6 points on a license (or disqualification) and a fine of 100%~ of your weekly income.

Band C – This is the highest offence in speeding. This will be given to offenders doing:

• 41pmh+ in a 20mph zone.
• 51mph+ in a 30mph zone.
• 100mph+ in a 70mph zone.

This means a maximum of 6 points on a license (or disqualification) and a fine of 150%~ of your weekly income.

Speeding Fines are Flexible

There are some circumstances were the fines could be reduced or taken off completely. These include emergencies and having no previous convictions. However, there are also circumstances were fines could be increased. These would include speeding nears schools or busy areas, as well as speeding in bad weather or having previous convictions.

To learn more about the revised legislation, click here.

To read more about more recent changes in driving legislation, click here. 

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