Thousands of speeding motorists in Essex could be let off fines if they agree to go back to school instead.

Essex County Council and police are looking at a groundbreaking project where drivers will be sent on safety courses instead of being prosecuted.

It is unclear where police will draw the line, but it is expected motorists caught committing serious speeding offences on the county's roads will continue to be hauled before the courts to face fines and having penalty points added to their licence.

However, it is estimated 15,000 speeding drivers a year will choose to go on a speed awareness course instead of being prosecuted for more minor offences.

They would escape a fine, but still have to stump up £60 for the three-hour course.

Officials have yet to confirm if such drivers would still get points on their licenses.

The move is designed to drill home the dangers of speeding and improve offenders' driving instead of just punishing them.

It was originally hoped the new rules would come into force this month.

However, it is now thought the introduction of speed awareness courses will be delayed until later in the year.

A county council report added: "Courses are planned to be held five days and two evenings a week at three locations in Essex to cope with an anticipated figure of 15,000 referrals per annum."

Essex County Council is working on the project with the police. County hall said it was unable to give more information about how it would work because the scheme was "still in its infancy".

A spokesman added: "We are working on it with the police. It is still being put together and details are being finalised."

if i got caught speeding the fine would mean very little if i could afford it. Points that worries me

Not sure what is 'groundbraking' about it, as Northumbria Police already have a similar scheme in place.

I beleive it is a two day course which costs £150!!

That is something completely different and is called the driver improvement scheme (DIS) which is an alternative to being taken to court for the offence of careless driving.

Like the states where they have to go back to "Driving school"?

Sounds like a good idea to me