The industry is being urged to take part in a major road safety consultation announced by the Department for Transport (DfT).

The DfT has outlined proposals aimed at tackling speeding and drink and drug driving, with the intention of cutting the 3,000 road deaths each year.

“We must crack down on the most dangerous drivers – the selfish minority whose reckless behaviour can have a catastrophic impact on innocent victims and their families,” said road safety minister Jim Fitzpatrick.

The consultation contains a range of proposals including six penalty points for drivers who exceed the majority of speed limits by 20mph or more.

In addition, careless driving could become a fixed penalty offence, formal drug-drive limits could be introduced and the possibility of reducing the drink-drive limit is being considered.

But a majority of drivers, who responded to an online survey by RoadPilot, felt that the current UK speed limits were too low.

“There are currently more than one million UK drivers with six or more points on their licence, who – if the legislation goes through unchanged – are potentially just one offence away from a ban,” said James Flynn, RoadPilot’s chief executive.

However, road safety charity Brake called for tougher penalties for speeding and action where drink-driving is concerned.

Mary Williams, Brake chief executive, said: “Britain has one of the highest drink-drive limits in Europe and it must be reduced.”

Industry bodies, including the BVRLA and the Fleet Safety Association, have already been asked to comment on the proposals, while fleet trainers DriveTech and IAM Commercial are backing government action.

But both stressed fleet managers can start addressing these issues now with regular risk assessments and providing the appropriate training.

To take part in the consultation, which closes on February 27, 2009, visit www.dft.gov.uk