Source: BBC News
On-the-spot fines planned for careless driving
Police will get powers to fine careless drivers on the spot, rather than taking them to court, as part of a government strategy to make Britain’s roads safer.
Ministers say motorists who tail-gate, undertake or cut others up often go unpunished and that introducing instant penalties would be more efficient.
Offenders would get a fine of at least £80 and three points on their licence.
Critics say the approach – likely to be introduced in 2012 in England, Scotland and Wales – is too simplistic.
Currently motorists who have driven in a careless manner have to be prosecuted through the courts.
Transport Secretary Philip Hammond will give a written statement to MPs on Wednesday explaining the new strategy for England, Scotland and Wales.
Following this, the proposals will have to go through Parliament.
Plans for an 80mph speed limit for motorways and reduced speeds on country roads are not included in the legislation, but are part of ongoing plans.
Drug crackdown
Mr Hammond told the BBC that the fines would not change the government’s approach towards serious offenders but was for “low-level” offences.
He said: “We’re going to crack down on the most reckless and dangerous drivers, we’re going to support those who are basically law-abiding but who perhaps have an occasional lapse.”
The Department for Transport (DfT) said it would also include a clampdown on drug-driving and the closing of loopholes that allow people to escape drink-driving charges.
Disqualified drivers would have to undergo retraining, and possibly take another test, before they got their licence back.
Courts would be encouraged to make more use of their powers to seize vehicles for the most serious offences.
There will be support for new drivers who need to hone their driving skills, and wider range of retraining and education courses for cases of less serious offences.
‘Greatest danger’
A DfT spokesman said: “By giving the police the tools to deal with those who present the greatest danger to others we can make our roads even safer.
“While seeking to do everything possible to tackle the most dangerous drivers, the strategy will also help the responsible majority to improve their driving.
“This is the government’s twin approach to improving road safety.”
But the Institute of Advanced Motorists said on-the-spot fines were not necessarily the right approach for careless driving because, unlike speeding, cases were often not clear-cut.
It also said their introduction could make police reluctant to enter into lengthy prosecutions even in more serious cases.
Professor Stephen Glaister, director of the RAC Foundation, agreed that the proposals should help tackle anti-social driving but expressed concern over whether the police had the necessary resources.
He said: “The three things needed to make these plans work are enforcement, enforcement, enforcement. With police services being cut it is far from certain the desired results can be achieved. Without adequate enforcement there is no strategy.”
I am of two minds on this one, will great to see something done about careless drivers but I cannot help think that it’s actual implementation will be very much up to the interpretation of the police officer on the day.
Personally, I’d rather see every driver go through more advanced, and recurring training. It is wrong that you can pass your test at 17 and never be tested or checked again. This would do several things, first it will raise the standard of driving. It will get people off the road that really shouldn’t be on the road, reducing the amount of traffic, and help meet environmental goals. Drivers will be more aware of other cars, and more importantly cyclists, bikers and HGVs.
Obviously, for that to happen public transport would need to be improved…
By: Sky High - 14th May 2011 at 13:04
I am well aware that you are not “having a go at drivers over 60” but I just don’t follow your logic, I’m afraid. And I have not suggested anywhere that I am critical of the current test, have I? I am certainly not.:)
By: Lincoln 7 - 14th May 2011 at 12:37
I couldn’t disagree more. I think too many “schemes” fail simply because they are ill-thought out and the consequences ill-considered.
Well Pete, you may as well apply your theory to the Driving Test as it is today, but you still either pass or fail, so are you suggesting, (In the nicest possible way) that the current system is wrong. I am looking at it as a simple pass or fail, once one reaches 60 yrs of age, and taking a Test, every 5 yrs thereafter.And don’t forget I fall into that group, so I am not having a go at drivers over 60yrs of age.
Jim.
Lincoln .7
By: Sky High - 14th May 2011 at 12:18
I couldn’t disagree more. I think too many “schemes” fail simply because they are ill-thought out and the consequences ill-considered.
By: Lincoln 7 - 14th May 2011 at 11:37
Sky High. Pete, You either pass or fail.
Simples, Eh?.
Lincoln .7
By: Sky High - 14th May 2011 at 11:31
I don’t think you have thought through the consequences of your proposal.:)
By: Lincoln 7 - 13th May 2011 at 22:13
The inevitable consequence would be that, just like school exams, the test will be made easier, the testing less severe to make sure the majority still pass.
It would be as unacceptable to have maybe hundreds of thousands of ex-motorists unable to drive as it is to have hundreds of thousands of youngsters without qualifications. And as far as the motorist goes, probably completely impractical, as the public transport network would be unable to cope with the extra demand and the infrastructure investment would be colossal to meet the needs.
Sky High…..Pete, as G.A. has stated elsewhere, “Gentlemen, take a breath and stand back” or words to that effect, I.M.H.O. if what you say is correct, and I beg to differ, we would see hundreds of people who have passed there “Easier” test on the road either dead, or severely injured and thus putting more strain on our NHS, service.
Sorry but every 5 yrs at 60,and after, if you cant drive it will show, just as much as if you can, you cannot drive on the roads today as we did when we first passed out tests.
Lincoln .7
By: Sky High - 13th May 2011 at 13:22
The inevitable consequence would be that, just like school exams, the test will be made easier, the testing less severe to make sure the majority still pass.
It would be as unacceptable to have maybe hundreds of thousands of ex-motorists unable to drive as it is to have hundreds of thousands of youngsters without qualifications. And as far as the motorist goes, probably completely impractical, as the public transport network would be unable to cope with the extra demand and the infrastructure investment would be colossal to meet the needs.
By: Lincoln 7 - 13th May 2011 at 13:02
Do you think that recurring training/testing for drivers would be a good thing? What interval do you think would be appropriate?
As I have stated prior, Once the age of 60 has been reached, I.M.H.O. I would consider every 5 yrs a good guide. But thats just my opinion, but I seriously think many would fall at the first hurdle, in the theory test, let alone the actual driving test. Indeed I know some folks of that age who would sooner drive an extra 100 miles than drive on a Motorway.
Lincoln .7
By: ThreeSpool - 13th May 2011 at 12:25
Do you think that recurring training/testing for drivers would be a good thing? What interval do you think would be appropriate?
By: Lincoln 7 - 13th May 2011 at 12:11
I have every sympathy with you, I don’t know what I would do without my car. I live in the Countryside, and the stagecoach goes through once a week so as to speak. Being one who has to attend three hospitals on a regular basis, to lose my D/L, or to be unable to drive, would be like having the death penalty pending.
Lincoln .7
By: MSR777 - 13th May 2011 at 11:05
Due to partial loss of sight last December, my driving licence was revoked and I’m now doomed to mainly using public transport for the rest of my life. Fortunately I have a great partner and very good friends who take me places that I need to get to IF they are available at the time. BTW, I’m 50 yrs old, so not quite a ‘wrinkly’;) Travelling on a bus gives you a different view of the driving on our roads today. Nobody relishes being stuck behind a bus, and neither did I when I was still a driver myself. But seeing the way that some drivers cut them up, fail to obey the Highway Code, and let a signalling bus pull away from its stop, and those drivers that frequently pull out of junctions in front of them, has certainly been an eye opener to me. IMO, most bus/coach drivers deserve a medal, coping as they do with driving in urban areas with the horrendous lack of courtesy exhibited towards them by ‘decent, law abiding motorists’
As has been said here by others, the aim of these new laws is well intentioned I’m sure, but enforcing them may well be a fruitless task. Only last week I saw an idiot in a SAAB ‘cloth top’, all that money and not even a metal roof! collide with a traffic island whilst gabbling on a mobile phone. On another occasion, I saw a pedestrian actually on a crossing almost mown down by a woman using a mobile, she was too busy ‘rabbiting’ to even slow down. I’m sure many other members here have seen similar incidents. The offence of using a hand held mobile phone whilst driving should, IMO, carry a fine of many thousands of pounds, and many points on the licence. It should also carry the possibility of a life ban. Deciding to drink and drive is, in my view, making a conscious decision to put your licence and peoples lives at risk, and I feel the flouting of the mobile phone law is just as bad. Looking back at my 30 or so years of driving, I think there have been big behavioural changes in a lot of drivers. I mean no disrespect to either gender, and generalisations are easy. I found that women were the less courteous in respect of giving way and acknowledging a courtesy shown by others, even their own ‘sisters’ and are equally as adept as their male counterparts at speeding and dangerous driving. A male friend of mine was firmly convinced that the reason men had more accidents than women, was due to the fact men took so many risks whilst trying to avoid the antics of their female counterparts! Please note that is NOT a view that I subscribe to;).
Losing your licence through no fault of your own, is something that I would not wish on anybody. It robs you of your independence, and a little dignity. I was no Saint on the road, if we’re honest none of us are, but anything that can curb the behaviour of certain motorists who engage in thoughtless practices which can, in certain circumstances, result in the loss of innocent lives, is worth a shot.
As my driving instructor said to me the day I passed my test in ’81 Always remember that holding your licence is a privilege and not a right. Its a statement that I have contemplated many times since last December. As the saying goes, ‘You don’t know what you’ve got until its gone’. Sorry if I sound bitter or self righteous, I don’t mean to.
By: ThreeSpool - 11th May 2011 at 19:26
Add to that list laziness…..so many drivers these days are just too lazy to drive well!
I’d like to add patience to that list. Some people really do seem to cheat death to shave literally seconds off their journey.
By: Sky High - 11th May 2011 at 18:08
Now I wonder why I have been waiting for that since I posted my comment……..;) Glad you didn’t disappoint me!:)
By: Lincoln 7 - 11th May 2011 at 17:52
GA, Linc – thank you for your support.:)
Support?, which one of us sent you a truss? :diablo:
Jim.
Lincoln .7
By: Sky High - 11th May 2011 at 17:42
Add to that list laziness…..so many drivers these days are just too lazy to drive well!
Yes, indeed – in life as well as behind the wheel.:(
By: Lincoln 7 - 11th May 2011 at 17:32
Slipstream. T.V.P. that says it all. I would have thought there would be a prima facia case of Driving without due care and attention, or at the very least, Driving without due consideration for other road users. I do not know, but couldn’t you claim from her house Insurance?. I remember this happening when a young lad on a bike, hit and damaged a car, the driver of which claimed damages from the lads fathers house Insurance.
Jim.
Lincoln .7
By: Sky High - 11th May 2011 at 17:20
GA, Linc – thank you for your support.:)
By: Slipstream - 11th May 2011 at 17:13
Police policy
I had the misfortune to be knocked off my motorcycle a short while ago. A young lady pulled out from a driveway without looking and I piled into the side of the car. Luckily I suffered no serious injury but both vehicles were written off due to the damage. I wound up about £1k out of pocket as a result. The attending police officer stated that it was clearly her fault but stated it was the policy of Thames Valley Police not to prosecute unless serious injury or death had occured and handed me a leaflet to explain this policy. She could have killed me through her careless driving but got off scot free !
So…… If TVP don’t prosecute when an accident occurs, will they bother when one doesn’t ?
By: Lincoln 7 - 11th May 2011 at 17:02
How many of the young drivers of today have never, or have never been allowed, to cycle on the roads? I often think that the lack of situational awareness of young drivers is down to this in many cases.
I also noticed a rather worrying proposal to lower the speed limit on ‘country roads’. As somebody who lives ‘in the country’ I’m not sure what this is supposed to achieve and wonder where these country roads are that suffer from speeding-related problems; presumably I can expect more speed-cameras to be erected to ‘police’ said new speed limits!
If the government wanted to improve road safety why not introduce compulsory eye tests; more frequently as we age as drivers.
Well Warren, I do go to specsavers 😉 We have just had a 40 MPH limit de creased to a 30, and your dead right buddy, three days later, up goes a gatso.Obviously I have informed TomTom to update their warning system.:diablo:
Jim.
Lincoln .7
By: Lincoln 7 - 11th May 2011 at 16:56
Well, I agree with you.
That’s one, at least. 🙂
Make that two, he’s my buddy.
Jim.
Lincoln .7 😉
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May 11, 2011 at 12:56 pm