Tanya Giles, July 15, 2006 12:00am

POLICE Minister Tim Holding is among scores of state politicians caught speeding in their Government cars.

He was caught doing 67km/h in a 60km/h zone in February last year, an offence that carries a fine of $134 and one demerit point.  "I am happy to cop it sweet when I've done the wrong thing," he said.

Six other senior politicians - whose responsibilities involve road safety, health, youth and the law -- were among leadfooted politicians who clocked up a record 85 speeding and traffic fines in 18 months.

They were Health Minister Bronwyn Pike, Youth Affairs Minister Jacinta Allan, Opposition police spokesman Kim Wells, Opposition health spokeswoman Helen Shardey, Opposition transport spokesman Terry Mulder and shadow attorney-general Andrew McIntosh.

Documents obtained by the Herald Sun under Freedom of Information laws show one politician's car was recorded doing 80km/h in a 60km/h zone and two others ran red lights, endangering other road users.

Many of the speeders, including Mr Holding, were repeat offenders.

The documents also reveal state MPs are speeding more than ever, with a shocking 30 per cent increase in the past year in those caught breaking road rules.

The details come as the Government plans to spend $526 million this financial year on road safety campaigns urging drivers to slow down.

Mr Holding said politicians were not above the law and should obey speed limits. "The Wipe Off 5 message applies to everyone - politicians, police, judges, or anyone else for that matter," he said.  Slowing down, even if just a few kilometres above the speed limit, saved lives. "Forcing motorists to drive at the posted speed limit is the surest way of reducing the road toll," he said.  "It's at a record low, but still far too many people are dying and getting hurt on our roads."

Ms Pike, who was clocked doing 64km/h in a 60km/h zone, said the fine reminded her that even driving a little over the limit was too fast.

Ms Allan was detected driving more than 10km/h but less than 15km/h over the limit, an offence that attracts a $215 fine and the loss of two demerit points.

Opposition Leader Ted Baillieu, who has previously been fined for speeding, repeatedly declined to say if he had been nabbed again.

He also declined the opportunity to urge speeding motorists to slow down and save lives.

Opposition police spokesman Mr Wells, who was caught travelling about 110km/h in an 100km/h zone, said there was no excuse.

Other MPs who received speeding fines in the period July 1, 2004, and December 31, 2005, were the Nationals' Bill Baxter and Damian Drum, Labor backbenchers Tony Robinson and James Merlino and Liberal MPs David Koch and Martin Dixon, who last year received his first fine in 24 years.

In the worst case, one MP's car was clocked travelling 80km/h in a 60km/h zone on Beaconsfield Pde, Middle Park, in August 2005.

Another MP was sent a fine for $538 for driving 16km/h over the limit on the Dukes Highway, South Australia, in March 2005.

More serious offences included five MPs whose cars were detected travelling between 15km/h and 20km/h over the limit in Middle Park and Fitzroy and the country towns of Kanumbra, St Arnaud and Merrijig. Seventeen others were detected driving between 10km/h and 15km/h over the limit.

Two MPs were also fined for driving through red lights at the intersection of Springvale and Wellington roads, Mulgrave, in July 2004 and the intersection of Glen Eira Rd and Hotham St, St Kilda, in April 2005.  Running a red light attracts a $215 fine and the cost of two points.

RACV public policy manager Dr Ken Ogden said politicians should abide by the laws they made. "There is no excuse for politicians who break the law," he said.

Nationals leader Peter Ryan urged motorists to drive to the road and weather conditions and allow plenty of time to make journeys.

"We've probably all been guilty of driving too fast but saving a few minutes by speeding means nothing if you increase your risk of having an accident and causing serious injuries or worse," he said.

In total, MPs copped almost $12,000 in speeding and traffic fines between July 1, 2004, and December 31, 2005.

They also incurred $1500 of tollway fines and $4351 of parking fines.

Dr Bill Sykes, of the Nationals, received a $120 fine from Maribyrnong City Council for parking in a disabled spot at Target. Dr Sykes said he was distracted as his daughter was expecting her first child after 20 hours of labour and apologised for his error.

Privacy laws prevented the Herald Sun obtaining the names of MPs caught breaking road rules.

But most MPs, including all government ministers, answered Herald Sun questions.

Among the MPs who declined to disclose whether they had been caught speeding were Opposition MPs Andrea Coote, Philip Davis, David Davis, Ken Smith and Andrew Brideson and Government backbenchers Anne Eckstein, Liz Beattie, Alistair Harkness and Glenyys Romanes.