DRIVERS who are caught speeding would be able to take an awareness course rather than face prosecution under new proposals.

The Conservatives, concerned by a rise in speeding convictions, have said that motorists who are caught marginally above the limit should be able to enrol in a class rather than being fined or having points added to their licence.

Scottish Ministers have indicated that they are sympathetic to the plan, with work underway to agree a pilot to assess whether courses would be effective. Speed awareness courses are already part of the justice system in England and Wales.

Tory MSP and her party's justice spokeswoman Margaret Mitchell said an education programme would be more effective than hitting drivers with points or fines.

"Given the increase in traffic convictions, it is surely time to consider an alternative for those who are not significantly over the speed limit," she added.

"Involvement in such a scheme is aimed at helping improve safety by promoting better driving behaviour.

"In addition to this, motorists - many of whom rely on their car for work and family - consider they are being disproportionately targeted by overzealous crackdowns.

"I'm glad therefore that the Scottish Government is now looking at this in an effort to put in place a fairer system which prioritises safer driving."

Currently, one-day driver alertness courses can be offered to drivers and motorcyclists who would otherwise have been handed a fixed penalty notice. In a letter to Ms Mitchell, transport minister Derek Mackay said he supported the principle of offering education as an alternative to prosecution "where appropriate".

The Conservatives believe a widespread lowering speed limits to 20mph, as has been proposed in Edinburgh, would see prosecutions rise further.

A spokesman for the Scottish Government said: "The Road Safety Framework contains a commitment to consider whether the introduction of a speed awareness course would be appropriate for Scotland. We are currently taking this forward with key partners such as COPFS, Police Scotland and the Safety Camera Programme.

"There is general support amongst our road safety partners that we should enhance the existing evidence base by introducing a pilot scheme in Scotland. However, there is still a great deal of work to be done in terms of agreeing the scope of a pilot."