Speeding drivers face ban for two offenses

LONDON (Reuters) - Drivers caught going more than 20 mph over the speed limit could lose their license after just two offenses under government proposals published Thursday.

Ministers will also consider pleas from road safety campaigners to reduce the amount of alcohol permitted for drivers as part of a three month consultation on improving road safety.

Road Safety Minister Jim Fitzpatrick said the measures were aimed at reducing the 2,946 deaths and 30,000 serious injuries on Britain's roads last year.

"Notwithstanding these are the best figures we have ever had, we know that we can do more and that we can reduce the numbers of people being killed and seriously injured," he told BBC radio.

"That means looking at speeding, drink driving, drug driving, careless driving and people not wearing seatbelts."

Speed is a factor in 29 percent of all road deaths, he said, while 20 percent are caused by drivers with illegal drugs in their bloodstream.

Those caught over the speed limit by a significant amount -- by 20 mph in most cases -- could be given a six point fine, twice the current penalty.

That would mean them hitting the 12 point trigger for an automatic ban if they repeat the offence within three years.

However, the government does not expect many drivers to fall foul of the excessive speed penalty.

Research included in the consultation showed that while many drivers are caught driving a few miles an hour over the limit, very few actually drive more than 20 mph above the limit, with virtually none recorded traveling that fast in 30 mph and 40 mph areas.

But the government said it was not proposing to lower penalties for drivers caught just drifting over the limit, as some reports had suggested.

"In 20 mph and 30 mph limits, research shows that the rate of pedestrian survival from a collision falls sharply as speeds increase, even by slight amounts," it said in its consultation.

The police would continue to have discretion over when they penalize drivers, as well as retaining the option to give a warning or offer a speed awareness course in lower-level cases.

At present, police generally penalize drivers when they speed more than 10 percent over the limit plus 2 mph -- for example more than 24 mph in a 20 mph zone and more than 35 mph in a 30 mph zone.

(Editing by Steve Addison)