Police Chiefs in the UK could be about to take a hardline stance on speeding which would see drivers given fines, points or even bans if they drift just one mile over the current speed limits.
Whilst officially, all drivers travelling over designated speed limits are liable to be stopped and punished by the police, there is generally thought to be an unofficial buffer zone of 10 per cent of the speed limit.
But speaking at the Police Federations Roads Policing Conference this week, Chief Constable Anthony Bangham is calling for shocking measures which will introduce a much tougher stance on drivers.
“Let’s change the message,” Bangham said. “We are proud to be law enforcers. I don’t want the public to be surprised, I want them to be embarrassed when they get caught. They need to understand the law is set at the limit for a reason. They should not come whingening to us about getting caught.
“If booked at 35 or 34 or 33 at [in a 30mph zone] that cannot be unfair because they are breaking the law.”
Whilst the news may be welcome news to road safety campaigners, others are critical of the stance and say that it could actually make roads more dangerous.
Edmund King, president of the AA added: “Of course speeding is dangerous and drivers should not speed. But surely it is better to educate motorists rater than just slap a fine on them. The last thing we want is drivers glued to the speedometer 100 per cent of the time. We want drivers to concentrate on the road ahead and not be worried about one or two miles over the limit.”