THE number of speeding fines incurred by drivers in vehicles supplied by National Car Rental has fallen.

Between January and October this year, the figure dropped by more than 8% compared with the same period in 2005, the company said.

Brian Jayes, vice-president UK operations, said it would appear that drivers are taking greater heed of road rules.

He added: ‘While January, February and March showed year on year increases, we saw a big drop in April – this seemed to level out in the summer months but we saw a big drop again in October.

‘In particular we have seen less speeding fines this year than last, in fact every month so far this year we have recorded less speeding fines. This is welcome news and a trend we hope to see continue.’

Jayes cited congestion charge fines as the area of most concern, adding: ‘These have kept at the same level for the past couple of years which doesn’t bode well for the extension of the congestion charge zone in February.’