Speed, or the inappropriate use of it, is a factor in a significant percentage of road incidents. The greater the speed involved, the more serious the incident is likely to be.

That is why the Lancashire Telegraph has been campaigning for more 20mph limits on our roads, particularly after Blackburn with Darwen was officially named as the worst council area in England for the number of under-16s killed or badly injured on its roads.

Drivers caught breaking the limit up to a certain threshold are offered a ‘speed awareness’ course in the hope that they can be re-educated and see the error of their ways.

Similar courses are available for other driving offences such as ignoring a no entry or stop sign.

Now, for the first time, speed enforcement activity will be entirely funded by offenders, rather than the taxpayer with the cost of the course rising to £95.

The priority, of course, must remain road safety and not punishing drivers excessively in order to hit a target.

But it certainly makes sense that those who put lives at risk should pay the price.

Among drivers, speeding should be seen to be as socially unacceptable as drink-driving and not wearing a seatbelt.