Tougher new penalties came into force today for anyone choosing to drive over the speed limit.

The new rules introduce a stricter fining system meaning those flouting the regulations could be given a fixed penalty notice (FPN) of up to £2,500.

FPNs used to be capped at £1,000.

Offenders can also be charged 150% of their weekly income if they are caught speeding, up to the new £2,500 cap.

The minimum fine of £100 and three points will stay the same.

Casualty reduction manager from Kent County Council's road safety team Steve Horton said: "I think there's a chance it still may not deter people because these are people that drive like this because they want to drive like it.

"But actually once they're caught it will be such a significant shock that hopefully they certainly won't be think of doing this sort of stuff again.

"Both the mobile phone changes and speeding changes is sending out a clear message that we're not going to accept it anymore and it puts a marker in the sand to say there are much more responsible ways of behaving on our roads."

The changes come after a consultation last year which argued previous guidelines did not properly take into account how much harm speeding can cause and the risks it presents to the public.

Last week a driver was pulled over after he was caught by police doing 120mph on the London-bound M2 between junction three and two.

A police spokesman said the Sittingbourne man was reported for summons.