New UK Speeding Fines

Making the roads safer is a key priority for the Government, so it is no surprise they constantly review driving legislation. They plan to introduce new speeding fines in order to try and reduce the number of accidents caused as a result of speeding.

In 2017 UK speeding fines underwent a major overhaul in an effort to reduce the number of accidents. The aim of the changes was to target the very worst offenders who pose a bigger risk to the public.

From 2017 onwards the fine for excessive speeding has been equal to 150 per cent of a person’s weekly income. This was a significant increase from the 50 per cent fine of weekly income in place before 2017. However, this higher rate only applies to the worst offenders who fall under band ‘C’ (see table below for more information on bands).

So what’s new when it comes to speeding fines in 2021, in the next section we take a look at further changes.

2021 new UK speeding fines

The maximum penalty for speeding remains £1,000, while those caught speeding on the motorway will face a higher £2,500 cap. However, to help reduce speeding in 2021, law enforcement are being encouraged to hand out a higher number of maximum-levels fines.

The majority of Band A convictions will have a speed fine equating to half of your weekly wage. Meanwhile, band B and C convictions will face the higher 150 per cent charge.

Table of UK speeding fine bands

Minimum speeding fines

The current minimum fine for speeding is £100 and three points on your licence. It is possible to avoid fines in some circumstances, however, these are limited. For instance, for those committing their first offence, it is possible to avoid both the points and fine by attending a speed awareness course.

Speeding fine driving bans

You risk disqualification from driving if you amass more than 12 penalty points on your licence within three years. You may face;

• a 6 month ban, if you get 12 or more penalty points within 3 years;
• a 12 month ban, if you get a second disqualification within 3 years;
• a 2 year ban, if you get a third disqualification within 3 years

New drivers face tougher restrictions. As a new driver, if you get six or more penalty points within two years of passing your test you can have your driving licence revoked. In order to get a full driving licence again, you need to:

• Buy a new provisional licence
• Only drive when supervised
• Put L plates on their car
• Pass both theory and practical parts of the driving or riding test again to get a full licence

Factors which may reduce the seriousness or reflect personal mitigation

It is possible to reduce the fine or penalty you face; however, the criteria around reductions is strict. Circumstances that may help your case when fighting a speeding include a genuine emergency, no previous speeding, relevant or recent speeding convictions and a good character or exemplary conduct.

Bear in mind that this is only discretionary and therefore you could still face the full charges and penalty points.

Factors which may increase the seriousness of your conviction

On the other hand, there are multiple scenarios in which you can increase the severity of penalties you face as a result of speeding. These include;

• previous convictions
• speeding on bail
• towing a caravan or trailer
• carrying passengers or a heavy load
• driving for hire or reward
• poor road or weather conditions
• driving an LGV, HGV or PSV
• committed while on licence or post-sentence suspension
• evidence of unacceptable standard of driving over and above the speed limit
• location of the offence, for example near a school
• areas of high traffic or pedestrian activity

Additional Driving Changes for 2021

Mobile Phone Usage

Distracted driving is becoming as big a risk as speeding, so the Government are keen to crack down on it. Mobile phone use is one of the first things they plan to target. As legislation stood, loopholes existed around people taking pictures or scrolling music behind the wheel. The new legislation aims to tackle this and effectively bans you from touching or picking up your phone while driving.

You can still use hands-free and sat-nav on the move and two way-radios remain legal. However, if your behaviour puts others at risk you could still face fines for distracted driving. The basic fine for this is £200 and six points on your licence. So if you are charged with distracted driving in your first two years of driving, your licence is automatically revoked.

Pavement Parking Bans

Pavement parking is currently illegal in London although it is thought this could be rolled out across the country with rule-breakers facing £70 fines. The results from a consultation regarding the proposed roll-out are expected in the next few weeks.

Brexit and driving in the EU

Now we have officially left the EU you need to be aware of changes to laws regarding driving in Europe. As it currently stands you will now need to carry a green card from your insurance provider to prove that you have the right insurance in place to drive in the EU. This physical card must be kept on you at all times.

Additionally, if you are driving a car in the EU that is less than 12 months old you need to carry your V5C logbook.

Charges for pollutant cars in more areas

London’s ultra-low emission zone system (ULEZ) which charges the most polluting vehicles for entering the city is set to be rolled out to other UK cities. Currently, outer London, Bath and Birmingham look set for charges to be introduced at some point this year.

Green Number Plates

Zero-emission cars are now available with ‘green’ number plates which demonstrate their greener credentials. The idea is that this would make the cars easily identifiable and allow local authorities to offer additional incentives to drivers who have invested in less polluting vehicles.

Laws coming soon…

Driverless cars

The UK continues to be at the fore of driverless technology with testing continuing to be rolled out on UK roads. As a highly innovative function, there is no set date when driverless cars are likely to be legal and for now, tests will continue to roll out the technology in stages.

Mandatory speed assist

From 2022 all new cars will be fitted with intelligent speed assistant tools. This function will tell drivers when they are driving too fast and can interfere with the car if they continue to drive above the speed limit.

What do you think?

Do you agree with tougher speeding fines? Or do you think the upcoming introduction of intelligent speed assistant in 2022 is enough to curb speeding We’d love to hear what you think about the changes coming into force, so why not leave a comment in the box below?