Road safety campaigners reacted with dismay today to government plans to vary fines for speeding motorists, with reduced penalties for those driving up to 39mph in a 30mph zone.
Launching a consultation paper today, the transport secretary, Alistair Darling, said a graduated system would be "more effective and appropriate" than the current flat penalty of a £60 fine and three points on the offender's licence.
The new plan would see three categories of speeding - low, medium and high - with escalating penalties depending how far over the limit the driver is.
Although the scheme has been welcomed by the RAC and AA, safety campaigners said the plan was a "mixed message" which would lead to more deaths on the roads.
Mr Darling first announced the plans in May. They will now go out to public consultation until the end of October.
Penalties could range between £40 and two penalty points for travelling at 30-39mph in a 30mph zone, to up to £100 and six points for exceeding 45mph. Those in-between would receive the "medium" penalty, the existing £60 and three points. The lower penalty would not apply to people speeding in 20mph zones.
The government plans include welcoming police proposals for nationwide speed awareness courses, which would be offered to first-time offenders in the lower speeding category - at their own expense - in lieu of the two-point penalty.
Mr Darling said: "We are seeking views on a new graduated system of penalties for speeding designed to be more effective and appropriate than the current 'one-size fits all' approach.
"We want to ensure that the level of the penalty fits the severity of the offence - including a crackdown on the most dangerous offences."
But anti-speeding groups pointed out that going at 39mph in a 30mph zone was not "just over" the limit, and that 60% of motorists regularly speed in built-up areas.
Mary Williams, chief executive of road safety group Brake, said: "We are shocked and appalled at this proposal, which flies in the face of the facts of speed.
"At just 35mph the risk of death on impact with someone on foot or bicycle is far, far higher than at 20mph, which is a far safer limit in heavily built-up areas, and common in other European countries.
"Our already excessive 30mph limits are not targets that drivers should be allowed to float around with minimal penalty. But this proposal, if implemented, will allow just that."
"This is pandering to the pro-speeding lobby and is in breach of the government's duty of care to communities, particularly at a time when the government is encouraging people to walk and cycle more.
That sentiment was echoed by Brigitte Chaudry, founder of the RoadPeace organisation, which campaigns on behalf of the victims of road traffic accidents. She said: "These proposals could lead to more deaths.
"The plans certainly send out a mixed message. It could be that drivers will only get two penalty points for going at 39mph in a 30mph area. That's not a fraction over the speed limit - it's a long way over it."
But the motoring lobby, led by the RAC and AA, expressed support for the idea.
AA spokeswoman Rebecca Rees said: "I think most motorists would welcome these proposed changes.
"Obviously, there is a big difference between someone who is just over the speed limit and someone who is way over it. But we still need to better educate drivers about the dangers of speeding.
"Speed kills around 1,000 people a year - twice the number killed in drink-drive incidents. Educating people about inappropriate speeds has to be a way forward."
RAC spokeswoman Rebecca Bell said: "Though no one condones speeding, it's a reality on our roads so we think most motorists will welcome this consultation which could lead to what many will consider to be a more appropriate system.
"Speeding convictions result not only in steep fines, but in some cases increased insurance premiums, which in a climate where petrol prices have sky rocketed, is an unwelcome side effect."
The Conservatives claimed the government had stolen their policy. The shadow transport secretary, Damien Green, said: "I am glad that the government has adopted another Conservative idea on transport.
"But they should be honest enough to pick up two of our other suggestions - that we should have an independent audit of the position of every speed camera, to make sure they are saving lives and not just making money, and that we should review all speed limits."
