DRIVER training company DriveTech UK has won what it claims to be one of the largest contracts awarded in the industry, to help train thousands of drivers who commit motoring offences in the Thames Valley area over the next three years. The firm will provide training for drivers who would normally face prosecution for driving without due care and attention and other motoring offences that can be dealt with through fines.

The Thames Valley Driver Improvement Initiative was piloted in 1998 by Oxfordshire Constabulary and has now been joined by Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes, with Berkshire also set to sign up. DriveTech fought off competition from 14 other driver training companies and has already trained 800 drivers during a pilot period. Chris Howell, managing director of DriveTech, said: 'It is better to train than just punish. Putting points on licences and fining people does not address possible shortcoming in individuals' driving techniques or attitudes.'

His comments comes as the Government unveiled tough new proposals for dealing with drivers who speed. A new Home Office document, called Road Traffic Penalties, suggests a potential ban for drivers caught going 10mph over the 70mph limit through the points 'totting-up' procedure. Currently, speeding incurs a minimum three penalty points, with a ban after 12 points. The new system would introduce a 20-point scheme, but increase the penalty points to between five and 15.