CONTROVERSIAL plans to introduce a sliding scale of speeding fines have been backed by Swindon's MPs.

Drivers caught breaking the speed limit by moderate amounts would get two, instead of three, points on their licence under the Road Safety Bill being debated by MPs.

Those going at faster speeds, for instance 40 to 45mph in a 30mph zone, would get six points, which is double the current level.

Richard Brunstrom, head of roads policy for the Association of Chief Police Officers, has condemned the proposed lower limits.

He believes it would send the wrong message to motorists and allow persistent speeders to commit more offences before they were banned from driving.

But Swindon North MP Michael Wills said the proposals would save lives and has given the controversial proposal his full support.

He told the Advertiser: "I've had a lot of interest in this because of constituents who have been killed in accidents caused by speeding.

"Young men drive cars through Swindon at 40 or 50mph which is quite terrible. They have an almost murderous intent.

"I don't think people will say they are going to drive at 31mph because they will get fewer points.

"What this does is send people a signal that if they drive at the higher speeds they will get higher penalties.

"Many deaths caused by speeding are completely preventable.

"If this bill saves just one more life by preventing speeding traffic then it deserves our support."

Swindon South MP Julia Drown said she had written to ministers to ask for their reasons behind the bill before supporting the issue.

Mrs Drown said: "It may be the best way to reduce speeding."

She added: "I want the Government to do everything it can to improve road safety.

"The bill may well mean that we pick up more motorists who are speeding at lower speeds and I think driving groups would support this."

Under the bill, motorists would get two points if they were caught doing up to 39mph in a 30mph zone, 50mph in a 40mph area and 83mph instead of 70mph.

The six-point penalty would apply at 45mph in a 30mph zone and 94mph in a 70mph area.

Ministers want to cut the number of people killed or seriously in road accidents by 40 per cent, and by half for children, by 2010.