The Sentencing Council has confirmed a hike in fines for the most serious speeding offences in England and Wales.

This means that drivers caught at 101mph or above on a motorway could face a fine of up to 150 per cent of their weekly income. The current fine is up to 100 per cent of weekly income, up to a maximum of £1000, or £2500 for motorway infringements.

Set up to promote greater transparency and consistency in sentencing, whilst ‘maintaining the independence of the judiciary’, the Sentencing Council's primary role is to issue guidelines on sentencing which the courts must follow unless it is in the interests of justice not to do so.

GEM road safety officer Neil Worth said the increased penalties sent the right message to drivers about the dangers of driving too fast. “Illegal or inappropriate speeds remain a significant road safety problem,” he commented. “If more people complied with speed limits, there would be fewer deaths and injuries on our roads; it’s as simple as that. We therefore welcome the increase in fines, as we know the enforcement of speed limits plays a vital role in road safety.

“As drivers and riders, we are all responsible for the speeds we choose. No one can tell us to break the speed limit. So we urge every driver and rider to take that responsibility seriously and to play their part in making our roads safer.”