British drivers have become the target in a new clamp down on speeding in the Costas.

With fines reaching up to £500 on-the-spot, the Spanish authorities have aimed the new scheme at vehicles with foreign plates. For those that will not or cannot pay fines, which range from £85 to £500, they could have their cars impounded until all fees are cleared.

New technology has been placed at ‘problem areas’ to identify foreigners speeding and ensure that fees are paid prior to them returning home. The new scheme, which utilises cameras, instantly alerts the nearest patrol car so that offenders can be pulled over immediately.

 Cars with local plates will continue to be processed in the normal fashion. Prior to the new system, license plates were recorded by the digital imaging and a ticket was sent via post. However, foreign plates will now be handled using the new technology.

This latest initiative is being piloted in four regions in Spain that have been highlighted as having high instances of speeding by foreign drivers typically visiting the area during the summer holidays. In most of the regions, foreign drivers account for up to 40 per cent of all speeding tickets.

Approximately one million Britons own property in Spain and many choose to retain their UK registered vehicles whilst staying at vacation homes in the Costas. If successful, the scheme could be extended to other areas on the Spanish Mediterranean coastline including Costa Brava and the Costa del Sol.