West Midlands Police said the move would also raise fears the courses are being used to make money because speed cameras are being been axed.
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The courses, which began in September 2010, cost drivers £60 yet are not offered to those caught driving at excessive speeds.
But The Association of Chief Police Officers wants to increase the range of speeds for which drivers are offered the course and increase the course cost to drivers.
APCO estimates this will see 70 per cent of drivers attend compared to 20 per cent now.
The proposals were put forward after funding was slashed for cameras, cutting their use. All Solihull’s camera could soon be switched off.
A Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council report says West Midlands Police is against APCO’s plans. Forces are currently deciding whether to adopt APCO's proposals.
It says: “The West Midlands Police have concerns about the ACPO proposals in terms of the ‘cost recovery’ and ‘income generation’ and public perception that speed awareness referrals are made to generate income rather than educate the offender.
“There are also concerns that potentially an offender travelling at a speed significantly higher than the speed limit would be offered an educational course rather than pay a fine and receive penalty points on their licence.”
It says use of Solihull’s fixed 27 cameras has been ‘significantly reduced’ following a 40 per cent funding in the Government’s emergency June budget.
The report adds: “It seems likely that there will be less safety camera enforcement activity and potentially there is a risk that the use of road safety cameras will come to an end in the near future.”
No new cash will be made available to install new cameras and the council says the devices will need to be upgraded from film to digital within four years, costing £1.2m.
‘Significant’ reductions in camera use is ‘likely to lead to an increase in casualties along those routes/locations’ it warns.
Yet it says the move would have some positive effects, as ‘vehicles travelling at more consistent speeds with reduced acceleration and breaking’ will cut emissions.
The future of the cameras depends on funding commitments from seven councils which fund the West Midlands Casualty Reduction Scheme, which manages cameras.
These will be agreed before April 1.
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