FLEET experts have hit out at plans to revise penalties for traffic offences in a bid to reduce serious motoring crimes and cut accidents.

Changes include plans to clamp and confiscate vehicles for certain offences and more use of shorter driving bans. But ACFO director Stewart Whyte believes the new measures would create problems for fleet operators through no fault of their own.

'It's monumentally stupid, and appears to be a panic measure, ill thought out by people who don't understand vehicle ownership and use in the UK. If the Government makes exceptions for organisations like rental firms or fleet cars civil liberties groups would cry foul and who could blame them?'

Home Office minister Charles Clark said: 'The review of road traffic penalties aims to make our roads safer for everyone, through tough penalties for serious offences, encouraging better driving and making drivers think carefully about the consequences of their behaviour. No decisions have been taken and we are keen to hear the views of all parties involved.'

The consultation paper is published on the Home Office website. Responses are invited by March 9.