Does the punishment fit the crime?
2 minute read | March 20, 2017
The new speeding guidelines are to be implemented in all magistrate courts in England and Wales and will come into force from 24th April 2017.
Punishment to fit the crime
Under current laws, motorists caught speeding are expected to be fined 100% of their weekly salary, but under the new guidelines that will rise to 150%. The upper limit for fines is due to remain the same at £1,000 or £2,500 for those caught speeding on motorways.
The Speeding Council said they want to see a ‘clear increase in penalties as the seriousness of the crime increases.’
Average fines
The average speeding fine in 2015 was £188, with the courts sentencing 166,695 offenders that same year.
While the Sentencing Council is pushing for tougher fines the true question is whether they will be adhered to. In 2014, 1.3million drivers were offered one-day speed awareness courses with a fixed fine that gave the police force an additional £54m.
With standard fines going direct to the treasury, police forces are being paid £40 per course attendee, which they are then able to spend as they see fit. There are rules attached to the courses for who can attend, with motorists only being offered a place on the course if:
- They haven’t been subject to a speeding conviction in the past three years
- They have been caught driving over 10% plus 2mph of the limit, but below 10% plus 9mph
With law enforcement budgets already stretched to breaking point, it is hardly surprising that courses are so well attended.
Points or fines?
With no mention of a change to the points system, the emphasis seems solely focused on the monetary hardship, although this will almost certainly affect some more than others. For instance, those that do not work will be fined in accordance with their weekly earnings, while someone who does work could be deducted considerably more for a similar offence.
Points will always be the biggest deterrent due to the repercussions when it comes time to renew the insurance policy. A fine of £188 would be dwarfed by a renewal quote after accruing six points.
Do you agree with a fine based on a percentage of a person’s earnings or would you prefer a flat fine with stricter points deductions?
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