New laws imposing heavier fines for the most serious speeding offences have been welcomed by vehicle management company Total Motion.

Drivers caught at a speed far in excess of the limit will now be hit with a 50% higher fine under Sentencing Council rules, which came into force on April 24.

“Speed limits are in place for very good reasons and drivers who ignore them, particularly at excessive speeds, are putting lives in jeopardy and risking catastrophic accidents,” said Simon Hill, managing director of Total Motion.

“Hopefully these new rules will act as a deterrent and encourage the minority who break the law to follow the example of the majority who drive safely and observe the limit.”

The courts handle speeding fines in three categories, A, B and C, with the new penalty applying only to the more serious C level.

Drivers speeding at 51mph or above in a 30 mph limit will fall into the C category and face a fine equivalent to 150% of their weekly pay.

In addition, they will also get six penalty points on their licence or a 56 day driving ban.

Drivers can still be fined a maximum of £1,000, regardless of their weekly earnings, or £2,500 if they are caught speeding on the motorway.