By Steve Bargeton, political editor

THE GOVERNMENT was last night accused of condoning speeding after unveiling proposals to introduce a sliding scale of penalties for motorists who break the law.

At present, speeding drivers get a £60 fine and three penalty points for an offence, with motorists who accumulate 12 points being disqualified from driving.

But under the “fairer fines” proposal announced yesterday, drivers a little over the speed limit could get two points and a £40 fine, moving up to three points and a £60 fine for a greater breach and six points and a £100 fine for the most serious speeding offence.

Defending the idea UK transport secretary Alistair 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.

“The police would continue to enforce speed limits rigorously and motorists will always need to be aware that speeding is highly dangerous and if they are caught they will face a fine, points on their licences and disqualification if they persist.”

Mr Darling said there was no question of the Government “going soft” on speeding. It was just a fairer system.

However Robert Gifford, executive director of the Parliamentary Advisory Council for Transport Safety, said that the proposal would “send out a very mixed message to the motorist.”

“On the one hand, the Government is saying speed kills and it’s a contributory factor in one in three road crashes, it might be involved in 1200 deaths a year. On the other hand, it’s OK to speed a bit,” he said.

“As well as the penalty fitting the severity of the offence, the penalty should fit the severity of risk and it’s between 35 and 40 mph that the risk of killing somebody when you are behind the wheel of a car increases significantly.”

Brigitte Chaudry, founder of the RoadPeace pressure group, whose son Mansoor (26) was killed by a speeding motorist, 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 39 mph in a 30 mph area. That’s not a fraction over the speed limit—it’s a long way over it.

“The Government is missing out on an opportunity to clamp down on those who speed. On the one hand, it has adverts showing the dangers of speeding and on the other it proposes lowering penalties.”

However the two biggest motoring organisations were in favour of the plan.

“I think most motorists would welcome these proposed changes,” said a spokesman for the AA.

“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 1000 people a year—twice the number killed in drink-drive incidents. Educating people about inappropriate speeds has to be a way forward.”

The RAC agreed. “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,” said a spokesman.

“We will need to take speed and circumstance into consideration if these plans are to work sensibly.

“This may then go some way to encouraging motorists to believe that current speeding enforcement is fair, appropriate and focused on promoting road safety.

“RAC research indicates that 72% of drivers still think speed limit enforcement via safety cameras is more about raising revenues than improving road safety.”