The government has denied reports that will amend speeding laws in a bid to make them more acceptable to motorists.

The home secretary apparently told the Times on Friday that "sophisticated" alterations to the points system were under review.

David Blunkett and transport secretary Alistair Darling were said to be looking at changing the rules under which people are automatically banned from driving after four speeding offences following a public outcry against fines and cameras.

But Number 10 said Blunkett had not been talking about specific changes to speeding laws, while the Home Office said no announcement was imminent.

Motorists' groups have accused the government of using speed traps as means of raising Treasury funds rather than cutting accidents.

Blunkett had said ministers were willing to listen to concerns.

"I want people to feel that policing in our country is common sense, logical and supportable," he said.

"I think there are areas where we can examine what needs to be done and transport ministers have indicated they are happy to do that.

"A degree of sophistication is needed here and it should not be beyond us."

However he added that the government would not be "throwing out the baby with the bathwater".

If drivers have doubts about the camera system "we either have to persuade them or find an adjustment that does that" he said.

"I want proportionality," he added. "I have been a great advocate of only using speed cameras in order to reduce people's speed and create safety rather than raising money.

"I have been a great advocate of speed cameras being visible. And I have been a great advocate of common sense being applied in terms of speed limits.

"I am not an advocate of saying certain laws are not applicable because we do not like them and because they affect us."

Shadow transport secretary Damian Green said that the government was performing a u-turn.

"After spending the past month criticising our proposals on speed cameras the government is clearly having welcome second thoughts," he said.

"What drivers need is to know that every camera is contributing to road safety, not the chancellor's coffers. We also need penalties that fit the crime.

"We will judge if the government is serious, or is just grabbing a day's headlines, by their willingness to include changes to the speed camera rules in the Traffic Management Bill which is currently before parliament."