Clampdown on excessive speeders

Excessive speeders could automatically get six penalty points

Drivers who are caught breaking the speed limit by a significant margin on two occasions could be banned from the roads under new government proposals.

The idea, set out in a consultation paper, is one of a range of measures aimed at the most dangerous drivers.

The document also suggests creating formal drug drive limits in a bid to make prosecutions easier to achieve.

Ministers say they are still gathering evidence on whether the drink drive limit should be lowered.

Disqualified

As the law currently stands, the majority of speeding offences are punished with a fixed penalty notice of a fine and three points.

But the government wants to introduce tougher punishments for so-called "excessive speeders" - for example, those who drive at more than 90mph on a motorway.

If adopted, the proposal - first mooted four years ago - would see these "anti-social drivers" automatically given six points.

Being caught twice at such speeds would mean 12 points and an automatic disqualification from driving.

These drivers do not believe they are impaired by the drugs they use Department for Transport

Also under consideration is the idea that the penalty for a minor speeding offence could be cut to two points.

The government also wants to crack down on drivers who use drugs, particularly the "hard core of frequent drug drivers who are primarily males aged between 25 and 35".

It estimates that up to one in five motorists killed in road accidents may have drugs in their system.

"These drivers are more likely to feel confident and in control while driving and do not worry about safety, so do not believe they are impaired by the drugs they use," the Department for Transport said in a statement.

There are currently no drugs breathalysers and no legal limit for cannabis, heroin or cocaine, so it can be difficult for police on the roadside to tell what motorists have been taking.

Nevertheless, the onus is on officers to prove that someone is impaired, perhaps by asking them to walk along a line, or estimate when 30 seconds have passed.

Ministers are considering whether introducing formal drug limits could make it easier gain prosecutions.

'Informants'

The three-month consultation unveiled on Thursday will also outline proposals to improve the enforcement of drink driving limits.

Britain has one of the highest limits in Europe and road safety campaigners had called for the current maximum of 80mg of alcohol in 100ml of blood to be lowered to 50mg.

However, the consultation appears to shy away from this idea, suggesting other possible changes instead.

According to the Daily Telegraph newspaper, these include encouraging friends, neighbours and colleagues to inform police about people who frequently drink and drive.

Those people would then get warning letters and could also be subject to spot checks, the paper said.