How to Avoid Speeding Fines, Penalty Points and Costly Mistakes

· Fines now up to 150% of weekly salary for higher-end speed offenders, with six penalty points and disqualifications

· A ‘speeding fine’ costs a minimum of £100 with three penalty points

· Speed-themed #RoadSafetyWeek starts Sunday 19 November

GEM is supporting Brake’s Road Safety Week (19 to 25 November), with its theme of ‘Let’s talk about speed’, by offering tips for drivers to ensure they stay within speed limits on every journey. This is not only a key part of reducing collisions and casualties on the roads, but it’s also an effective way of avoiding costly penalties and reducing our environmental footprint as drivers.

GEM road safety adviser James Luckhurst said: “We need to choose speeds that are both legal and appropriate for the conditions. It’s a vital part of taking personal responsibility for our own safety – and that of others – when we are driving.

“Research* shows that reduced speeds mean fewer collisions, and reduced severity of collisions. For example, an overall 1mph reduction in speed results in an average five per cent reduction in collisions.

“We also know that a car speeding at 80mph uses 10 per cent more fuel than one driven at 70mph. A car driven at 70mph uses 15 per cent more fuel than one at 50mph.”

Courteous drivers who choose legal, appropriate speeds are lifesavers because their actions minimise the risk of a collision, especially when they are alert at all times and mindful of the space they leave in front of them.

James Luckhurst concludes: “Smooth, safe driving means we’re doing our bit for the environment, we’re keeping licences clean, saving money from using less fuel and reducing the risks you face on the road.”

How to stay within the speed limit

· Don’t rush on a journey. Leave earlier and ensure you have plenty of time, with no reason to speed.

· Keep a close eye out for speed limit signs, and watch for clues that the speed limit may soon be about to change.

· Scan the speedometer frequently so you always know your own speed.

· Always ask yourself: is my speed both legal and safe? After all, the speed limit is just that – a limit, not a target, and there will be circumstances when you will feel much safer driving below the limit.

What are the penalties for speeding in the UK?

· A ‘speeding ticket’ will result in three points on your driving licence and a fine of £100. In some circumstances a speed awareness course may be offered, costing around the same as the fine. Completing a course avoids the fixed penalty notice and points.

· Changes to the system of fines in 2017 means higher-end speed offenders now face fines of up to 150 per cent of their weekly salary, with six penalty points and/or disqualifications of between seven and 56 days.

Why does speeding increase crash risk?

Speed affects far more than how quickly you reach your destination. The faster a vehicle is travelling, the less time a driver has to identify hazards, react appropriately and bring the vehicle to a safe stop.

Higher speeds also increase the energy involved in a collision, making injuries much more severe for vehicle occupants, pedestrians and cyclists. Even driving just a few miles per hour above the speed limit can significantly increase both the likelihood and severity of a crash.

Remember that speed limits are maximum legal limits, not targets. In poor weather, heavy traffic or reduced visibility, driving below the posted limit may be the safest option. Understanding current UK speeding laws and adjusting your speed to suit the conditions is one of the simplest ways to reduce your crash risk.

How many points can you get for speeding?

The number of penalty points for speeding depends on how far above the speed limit you were travelling and the circumstances of the offence.

For less serious offences, drivers are often issued:

• A £100 Fixed Penalty Notice.
• Three penalty points.

More serious offences can lead to:

• Four to six penalty points.
• A driving disqualification.
• A court appearance.
• Fines based on a percentage of your weekly income, with the most serious offences attracting fines of up to 150% of weekly earnings, subject to statutory maximums.

Drivers who accumulate 12 or more penalty points within three years may face a driving ban under the "totting up" rules unless exceptional hardship can be demonstrated.

Can you be offered a speed awareness course?

In some cases, eligible drivers may be offered a speed awareness course instead of receiving penalty points.

Whether a course is offered depends on several factors, including:

• The speed recorded.
• The applicable speed limit.
• Whether you have completed a similar course within the previous three years.
• The decision of the police force handling the offence.

Completing the course usually means you avoid penalty points, although you'll still need to pay the course fee. The course focuses on improving driver awareness and encouraging safer driving habits rather than simply punishing motorists.

A speed awareness course is not available for every speeding offence, particularly where speeds are significantly above the limit.

How does speeding affect fuel consumption?

Driving faster doesn't just increase your risk of receiving speeding fine penalties—it also increases fuel consumption.

As speed rises, aerodynamic drag increases significantly, meaning your engine has to work much harder. This results in:

• Higher fuel costs.
• Increased CO₂ emissions.
• Greater engine workload.
• More frequent refuelling.

Maintaining a steady, legal speed is generally more economical than frequent acceleration and heavy braking. Combining smooth driving with sensible speeds can noticeably reduce running costs over time.

What are the most common causes of speeding?

Many drivers do not deliberately intend to exceed the speed limit. Common reasons include:

• Running late for work or appointments.
• Failing to notice changing speed limits.
• Driving on familiar roads without paying close attention.
• Following the speed of surrounding traffic.
• Misjudging speed on wide or open roads.
• Becoming distracted by passengers, navigation or mobile devices.

Planning journeys with extra time and regularly checking your speedometer are simple ways of reducing the temptation to speed. These are among the most effective ways of learning how to avoid speeding tickets while improving road safety.

How can technology help you avoid speeding?

Many modern vehicles now include technology designed to help drivers stay within the speed limit.

Examples include:

• Speed Limit Recognition (SLR) systems that use cameras to detect roadside speed limit signs.
• Intelligent Speed Assistance (ISA) systems, now increasingly common on new vehicles, which warn drivers or provide gentle feedback when the speed limit is exceeded.
• Sat nav speed limit displays and audible speed alerts.
• Adaptive cruise control that helps maintain a consistent speed on longer journeys.

Although these technologies provide useful assistance, they do not replace the driver's responsibility to observe speed limit signs and drive appropriately for the road and weather conditions.

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GEM Motoring Assist is a members’ motoring and road safety organisation in the UK. Our aim is to keep our members on the move… whether that’s through our breakdown recovery service or our motoring and road safety expertise.

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* https://www.itf-oecd.org/lower-speed-means-fewer-road-death