New speeding guidelines allowing drivers to travel at up to 10% above the speed limit plus 9mph and avoid points on their licence, have been adopted by most police forces in England and Wales.  Instead of points motorists will be offered a speed awareness course.

The speed awareness course costs between £60-£100, and motorists can only attend once in three years.

Previously, drivers were only offered the course if they were travelling up to 10% above the speed limit plus 6mph.

ACPO (The Association of Chief Police Officers) said it would be up to individual forces as to the upper limit that the course would be offered and that not all forces would offer the course for higher speeds.

A spokesman for the road safety charity Brake, said the new proposals "sent out the wrong message" and were "simply a way of making money".  However, road safety minister, Mike Penning, denied this and insisted road safety is the government's "top priority".

Full story - BBC News 09/04/11