From today drivers in the UK caught speeding will face tougher penalties under new sentencing guidelines for magistrates.
Why is the legislation needed?
A 2016 Sentencing Council review highlighted how the old system 'did not properly take into account the increase in potential harm that can result as speed above the speed limit increases'. The new legislation, including stricter speeding fines has been implemented to reflect the gravity with which the courts view them and are intended to make drivers "think twice" before speeding.
The scale of the problem can also be seen in stats provided by the BBC: '166,695 people in England and Wales were sentenced for speeding offences and 166,216 were find. The average fine was £188, but two people were also sent to prison'.
What is the new legislation and what does it mean for drivers?
Previous speeding fines were a minimum of £100 and three penalty points and a maximum of £1000 (or £2500 if caught on the motorway). The fine was up to 100% of a driver’s weekly salary.
In the new legislation, the minimum of £100 and three penalty points and the maximum of £1000 or £2500 if driving on the motorway will remain. However, offenders can now be charged up to 175% of weekly income if caught speeding.
Fines are divided into three Bands, A, B and C which relate to how serious the speeding offence is.
Drivers caught speeding at up to 10 mph over the speed limit will be classed as Band A. Band B offences are those where drives are at speeds of 11-21 mph over the limit. Band C is the most serious category of offence and applies to drivers exceeding the speed limit by more than 21 mph.
| Speed Limit (mph) | Recorded Speed (mph) | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 20 | 41 and above | 31 - 40 | 21 - 20 |
| 30 | 51 and above | 41 - 50 | 31 - 40 |
| 40 | 66 and above | 56 - 65 | 41 - 55 |
| 50 | 76 and above | 66 - 75 | 51 - 65 |
| 60 | 91 and above | 81 - 90 | 61 - 80 |
| 70 | 101 and above | 91 - 100 | 71 - 90 |
| Sentencing Range | Band C fine | Band B fine | Band A fine |
| Points/disqualification | Disqualify 7-56 days OR 6 points | Disqualify 7 - 28 days OR 4 - 6 points | 3 points |
Source: Sentencing Council
What does it mean if you're caught speeding?
Band C offence
A Band C offence means that anyone speeding at 51+ mph in a 30 mph zone for example would face a fine of 150% of their weekly income and 6 penalty points.
Band B offence
A Band B offence means anyone speeding between 41-50 mph over the limit would receive a fine of 100% of their weekly income and 4 penalty points
Band A offence
A Band A offence means anyone speeding between 31-40 mph over the speed limit in a 30 mph zone would receive a fine of 50% of their weekly income and 3 penalty points.
For illustration purposes only, actual fines and points awarded may vary and can be affected by a number of mitigating circumstances.
What does it mean if you're in a hire vehicle?
We expect and encourage anyone hiring one of our vans to abide by the law and speed limits at all times. If you do receive a speeding fine when driving one of our vehicles (including European hire) we will send your information by means of representation to the local authority as per our Terms and Conditions of hire.
Read the full Sentencing Council Speeding Guidelines.