Fixed penalty fines for traffic offences could rise 50% to £90

UK motorists could be hit with an increase to fixed penalty notices from £60 to £90 if a government proposal is passed. According to research by the IAM half of motorists asked disagreed with the government proposal. Of the 1129 respondents, fifty one per cent disagreed with the proposal, 28 per cent strongly, 35 per cent agreed with the proposal, and 13 per cent neither agreed nor disagreed.

In proposals put forward by Justice Secretary, Kenneth Clarke, the fixed penalty notice for speeding tickets, not wearing a seatbelt, failing to stop at a zebra crossing or jumping red lights could increase in a bid to raise more money for support services for victims of crime. Proceeds from the fines would also go towards improving road safety schemes. The Government hopes to raise an additional £30 million from the increase.

IAM chief executive Simon Best said “while funding victims of crime is laudable, the real aim of fines for motoring offences should be deterrence. We want to stop people breaking the law. Having an income that relies on dangerous driving won’t help reduce crashes. There is a strong case for this money to be spent on road safety.”