British drivers caught travelling well over the speed limit will lose their licence after just two offences under plans to be put out for consultation today, according to media reports.

Ministers will also consider pleas from road safety campaigners to reduce the amount of alcohol permitted for drivers.

Road Safety Minister Jim Fitzpatrick said the measures, to be detailed to parliament later, were aimed at reducing the 2,946 deaths and 30,000 serious injuries on Britain's roads last year.

"Notwithstanding these are the best figures we have ever had, we know that we can do more and that we can reduce the numbers of people being killed and seriously injured," he told BBC radio.

"That means looking at speeding, drink driving, drug driving, careless driving and people not wearing seatbelts."

Speed is a factor in 29 percent of all road deaths, he said, while a fifth of deaths are caused by drivers with illegal drugs in their bloodstream.

Fitzpatrick said he was sympathetic to the idea that drivers caught just a few miles over the speed limit should no longer be as severely punished as those driving excessively fast.

Media reports said those slightly over the limit could get a two point penalty on their licence, rather than three at present.

Those caught over the limit by a significant amount could be given a six point fine, meaning they would hit the 12 point trigger for an automatic ban if they repeat the offence within three years.

At present only magistrates can impose a penalty greater than three points -- the proposals to lift this restriction could lead to drivers receiving greater automatic penalties without a court hearing.