Tougher punishments for the most serious speeding offences have come into force in England and Wales.
Under new guidelines, fines for drivers caught doing 51mph in a 30mph zone or 101mph on a motorway will start from 150% of weekly income, rather than the previous level of 100%.
The Sentencing Council said it wanted a “clear increase in penalty” as the seriousness of offending increases.
Motoring groups have broadly welcomed the new guidelines for magistrates.
‘Extreme offenders’
The new measures follow responses to a consultation.
It said previous guidelines did not properly take into account the increase in potential harm that can result as speed above the limit rises.
Fines will also be increased for when motorists drive at 41mph or faster where there is a 20mph limit.
However, because the maximum fines allowed by law remains the same, speeding drivers cannot be fined more than £1,000 unless the offence takes place on a motorway, where the limit is £2,500.
Some 244 people were killed in crashes that occurred when a driver was breaking the speed limit on Britain’s roads in 2015.
AA president Edmund King said it was right that “extreme offenders” were punished “severely”.
He added: “Responsible drivers will welcome the changes coming into force today.
“The majority of drivers who keep to the correct speed, as well as driving to the conditions, won’t be affected.
“It is only those who deliberately drive dangerously who will end up in court.”
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