Speeding penalty reforms proposed
Added on Thursday, November 20th, 2008 by Carole Nash Editor | No Comments
Speeding penalty reforms proposed
Motorists and motorcyclists could receive up to six penalty points for a fixed penalty speeding offence under new government proposals, it was revealed today.
In a paper published by the Department for Transport, drivers or motorcyclists who are caught speeding “excessively”, an example given in the report being 90mph on a motorway, could be hit with a fixed penalty notice of a fine and six penalty points rather than the current three point and £60 fine.
Under the current system, offenders are only taken to court if police feel that a stiffer sanction is necessary as only a court can impose a penalty of more than three points for a speeding offence.
If the bill is approved, motorists could receive a mandatory ban under the “totting-up” scheme after just two such offences, rather than four.
On the other hand, motorists who only marginally exceed the speed limit would receive just two points on their licence under the scheme as part of a ‘sliding scale’ penalty tariff. Such a system was written into law in 2006 but was not introduced for fear of a public backlash.
Riders with points on their licence may also subsequently see their bike insurance premiums increase.
Also in the report, which serves as action plan for addressing the 2,946 deaths and 30,000 injuries on British roads last year, is a notable focus on tackling drink and drug-influenced driving.
Proposals have been made for a formal “drug-drive” limit to crack down on drivers who use drugs, particularly the “hard core of frequent drug drivers who are primarily males aged between 25 and 35″, with an estimated one in five motorists killed in road accidents believed to have drugs in their system.
It’s thought that the government will however resist changes to the drink driving limit - currently 80mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood - one of the highest rates in Europe.
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