Safe Speed Forums

* Expensive speed awareness courses will raise revenue to keep the roadside cameras running

Motorists caught speeding at more than 10mph over the limit will be sent on speed awareness courses which will have their prices hiked up to an eye-watering £100.

By increasing the number of one-day programmes and raising revenue, police hope to keep roadside cameras switched on despite funding cuts.

Currently motorists caught speeding and issued with three penalty points are fined £60.
Revenue raiser: The cost of speed awareness courses will be ramped up to £100 for motorists breaking the limit. This Gatso device on the M11 southbound between junctions 5 and 4 led to an increase of accidents after it was installed

Revenue raiser: The cost of speed awareness courses will be ramped up to £100 for motorists breaking the limit. This Gatso device on the M11 southbound between junctions 5 and 4 led to an increase of accidents after it was installed

Safety cameras across the country have been under threat as the Coalition has reduced the road safety budget - but they now could be saved by a fines increase.

First time offenders will be given points only if they break the limit by 10 per cent plus 9mph, under the plan which is being backed by more than 20 police forces.

Motorists caught doing up to 42mph in a 30 zone will be offered the chance to go on the course under the proposals.
Clocked: Under new rules drivers will have to be going at 10 per cent plus 9mph over the limit before they are given an automatic fine

Clocked: Under new rules drivers will have to be going at 10 per cent plus 9mph over the limit before they are given an automatic fine

Those doing up to 50mph in a 40 zone and 61mph in a 50 zone will also get the opportunity to escape points - but pay up to £100.

However, speeders caught breaking the limit more than once will automatically be issued with points and a fine and will not be given a second chance on an awareness course.

Police forces will keep one third of £100 course fees which they will give to councils to keep the cameras running.

Fees have already gone up to £100 in Dorset, £82 in Suffolk and £87 in Cambridgeshire.

In Oxfordshire 89 mobile cameras and 72 fixed devices were turned off in August after funding was cut. However, officials are confident they will be switched back on if the scheme gets the go-ahead.

It is thought that speeding in the county has increased significantly since they were turned off.

A spokesman for Thames Valley Police said they were confident of getting the cameras activated again.

'We are waiting for a national agreement and we understand that will be in January,' he said. 'We are aiming for April for them to be turned back on.'

Research has suggested nationally 800 lives will be saved each year if speed cameras are kept.

Officials in Norfolk are also considering signing up for the scheme after councillors voted to switch off 22 fixed speed cameras in September. The switch-off will save £1m.

Constabularies in the Thames Valley, Cambridgeshire, Northumbria, Devon and Cornwall, Bedfordshire, Suffolk, Dorset, Essex, Avon and Somerset and Norfolk have all backed the proposals.

Edmund King, president of the AA, said he thought motorists would back the proposals.

'I think the motorist will understand it and support it, because they still have the choice of points and a £60 fine,' he said.

I also expect lots of knee jerk brake kind of drivel and other car hating councils to start dropping limits to preserve revenue

Too late for the second bit, I'm afraid