STRICTER fines for drivers who break speed limits have been welcomed by road safety and pedestrian campaigners in Oxford.

From yesterday, those who are caught speeding will face stricter penalties and much higher fines based on what they earn.

It means offenders could now be charged up to 175 per cent of their weekly income.

Previously, in the UK the minimum penalty for speeding is a £100 fine and three penalty points added to your driving licence while the maximum fine is £1,000 or £2,500 for motorway offences. But now those caught driving at more than 101mph in a 70mph speed limit could be disqualified for up to 56 days and get a fine of between 125 and 175 per cent of their relevant weekly income.

Sushila Dhall, chairwoman of Oxford Pedestrians Association, said she ‘absolutely welcomed’ higher speeding fines, adding she thought the previous legislation ‘did not seem to be working’.

She said: “I see people speeding all the time, doing more than 20mph in 20mph zones and sometimes doing 30mph in 20mph zones. Cost usually deters people

“We would like to see streets remodelled so people are not encouraged to speed.”

Ms Dhall said narrowing roads, planting more trees and making areas look more pedestrianised, could reduce drivers speeding.

She added: “When we get in the car, people don’t think you may as well be holding a gun. It’s not only a vehicle, but also a serious weapon. When they are speeding they are putting themselves and others at risk - at worst, death.” The new sentencing has been designed to produce a sufficient deterrent to reduce speeding drivers. The standard previous penalty of three points and a £100 fine has been doubled to six points and a £200 fine.