From next week speeding fines are set to dramatically rise in an attempt to deter drivers from breaking speed limits.

New sentencing guidelines come into effect on Monday and as a result speeding fines for the most serious cases in England and Wales will rise by up to 50pc after magistrates were instructed to get tougher.

The new fine structure is ranked into three categorised bands, with the least severe being Band A, while the most severe is Band C.

Band C fines are for speeders who commit the most serious offences and carry a minimum fine of 150pc of the offender's weekly income.

The current limit for a speeding fine is 100pc of the driver's weekly wage, up to £1,000 - or £2,500 if they are caught on a motorway. The upper limit will not increase with the changes.

What is classed as a serious offence?

• 20mph speed limit - 41mph and above recorded speed of driver

• 30mph speed limit - 51mph and above recorded speed of driver

• 40mph speed limit - 66mph and above recorded speed of driver

• 50mph speed limit - 76mph and above recorded speed of driver

• 60mph speed limit - 91mph and above recorded speed of driver

• 70mph speed limit - 101mph and above recorded speed of driver

MORE: Are you aware of new road tax rules coming into force in April?The changes come after a consultation in 2016 which argued previous guidelines did not properly take into account the potential harm of speeding or the risks it poses to the public.

Drivers will also face points on their licence, or a disqualification, depending on the severity of the offence committed.

• To find out more information visit the Sentencing Council website.