Tougher speeding penalties for UK drivers welcomed by motoring groups

Drivers caught doing 51mph in a 30mph zone or 101mph on a motorway will now be face fines starting from 150% of their weekly income.

The introduction of tougher punishments for the most serious speeding offences has been welcomed by motoring groups.

Drivers caught at speeds excessively above legal limits face higher penalties in England and Wales from Monday.

Under new guidelines for magistrates, fines for motorists caught doing 51mph in a 30mph zone or 101mph on a motorway will start from 150% of their weekly income, rather than the previous level of 100%.

AA president Edmund King described the changes as “an effective way to penalise offenders”.

The Sentencing Council said the move aims to ensure there is a “clear increase in fine level as the seriousness of offending increases”.

It follows responses to a consultation arguing previous guidelines did not properly take into account the increase in potential harm that can result as speed above the limit rises.

Some 244 people were killed in crashes that occurred when a driver was breaking the speed limit on Britain's roads in 2015.