November 2008 Car News - GBCarLoans.com

20th November 2008

Crackdown on Speeding and Drug-driving

Today Road Safety Minister Jim Fitzpatrick presented a range of new proposals to stop the problem of drink and drug drivers as well as other dangers on Britain's roads.

Proposals put forward by the Government are to:

1 - Create a new offence to bring drug driving more into line with drink driving, by making it illegal to drive after taking a drug which is both illegal and impairing
2 - Remove the option for drivers caught moderately above the drink drive limit to request a second test by a doctor and potentially fall back under the limit while waiting for them to arrive
3 - Fund the introduction of new digital breath testing equipment, to help free up police resources, as well as helping the police introduce targeted drink drive checkpoints to strengthen deterrence
4 - Make careless driving a fixed penalty offence to enable the police to enforce against careless drivers who admit fault with a minimum of bureaucracy. The fixed penalty would be a £60 fine and 3 penalty points
5 -Introduce a higher fixed penalty of 6 penalty points for drivers who exceed the speed limit by a dangerous, and very large margin – 20mph or more above most speed limits

The Government is also seeking opinions and evidence on regauarding the question of reducing the legal alcohol limit. They have however not yet proposed a new limit.

More details about this 'Road Safety Compliance' consultation can be found on the department for transport website at: http://www.dft.gov.uk/consultations/open/compliance/ . Individuals and organisations need to respond by 27th February 2009.

The AA commented :

"More than two thirds of drivers support the idea of higher penalties for those who break the speed limit by a considerable margin. However, the AA's main concern is that large drops in the speed limit, for example 60 to 30, are clearly signed," says AA President Edmund King.

"It is bad enough to get three points for failing to see a sign, but many will baulk at six points, especially if the sign is hidden because of poor maintenance. Clear speed limit signing is vital if this change of penalty is to be made."

Two million pounds is to be spent on extending the THINK! campaign into drug driving.

King adds: "Tougher laws and better enforcement methods are also needed, but these need more development to ensure they are fair and have no unwanted side effects. The new fixed penalty for minor careless driving will improve the flexibility of punishments available to the police for lesser offences, and avoid much workload for police and courts. The opportunity for the public to make clear its preference for a lower legal limit and changes to how we enforce drink driving law is also welcome."

back to November's Car News