You’d think high-profile solicitor Nick Freeman, aka Mr Loophole – known for defending celeb clients who have attracted the attention of the police on the roads – would be rubbing his hands all the way to the bank at the new maximum fines. Under the proposals, anyone caught speeding on a motorway could have to cough up £10,000.

All good for business?

Not so. Freeman is sceptical about the government’s reasons for increasing the fines when, he says, the road safety battle is already being won. And he has spotted a loophole in the plan: the prospect of huge fines will encourage more motorists to accept a £100 fixed penalty and three points.

In any event, he says, maximum fines are rare. Only once in his career has a client received the top whack for speeding – and that was reduced on appeal.

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