New attempt to tackle dangerous driving
Drunk, uninsured, and irresponsible drivers will face harsher penalties if the Government gets its way under the new Road Safety Bill.
But, those caught speeding may face variable penalties depending on the severity of the offence.
The Bill provides the police with increased powers to take drink-drive evidence at the roadside and to implement mandatory retesting for disqualified drivers who have been banned for 24 months or more. Tougher penalties will also be handed out to those who use their mobiles when driving.
Uninsured drivers will be tackled through increased use of Automatic Number Plate Recognition Technology, which will allow police to more efficiently detect illegal drivers.
Poor driving standards will also be targeted through granting the courts more powers to refer drivers to retraining courses. General standards of driving instruction and testing procedures will also be improved.
There will also be clarification of the laws which allow vehicles like ambulances to speed in an emergency and a system to ensure that foreign drivers do not escape punishment.
Transport Secretary Alistair Darling, said: “The UK has a good road safety record and the Government remains committed to reducing the numbers of people killed and seriously injured on our roads. The number of road casualties is at its lowest for nearly fifty years – but even so, much more needs to be done.
“Ten people die on the roads every day and there are still some problem areas like drink driving which need to be tackled. The measures in the Road Safety Bill will improve safety, making penalties tougher but fairer, cracking down on antisocial driving and further reduce the unnecessary death and injury on the roads.”
He stressed that deaths and serious injuries on the roads are 22 per cent down on the 1994-98 average, but that the Government is still committed to reducing this further to 40 per cent by 2010.
The Bill was broadly welcomed by the Freight Transport Association (FTA). Its external affairs director, Geoff Dossetter, said: “The UK has a good road safety record, but more must be done to ensure that professional drivers and the general public alike take the maximum care.”
