PROSECUTIONS of motorists caught speeding by roadside cameras in England and Wales have more than doubled in three years, creating potential liability problems for fleets.

There are about 4,500 speed cameras in England and Wales and in 2000 a total of 109,157 motorists were prosecuted for speeding offences, compared to 48,046 in 1997, 65,072 prosecutions in 1998, and 75,596 prosecutions in 1999.

The figures were supplied in a written parliamentary answer by John Denham, minister of state at the Home Office, and raise serious issues for fleets if their drivers fail to report their driving licence endorsements. Four speeding offences in three years would see a driver lose his or her licence, but with many employees depending on their car to do their job there is pressure for them not to own up to losing their licences.

However, driving without a licence is not only illegal, but also negates insurance cover, leaving employers exposed to unlimited costs in the even of a banned driver being involved in an accident.