Speeding drivers face six points

Monday, September 24, 2007

Penalty doubles for failing to say who's driving
Move to fight rise in those evading prosecution
Other changes to motoring-related penalties

Latest News

The fine for failing to disclose who was driving when a speeding offence was committed has doubled to six penalty points.

The change in the law, which comes into force today, is designed to combat a sharp rise in the number of motorists caught on speed cameras trying to evade prosecution by claiming they cannot remember who was at the wheel at the time of the offence.

Anyone prosecuted can also be fined up to £1000, which remains unchanged from the previous maximum.

Vehicle owners are obliged to tell police who was driving under Section 172 of the Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988.

The latest available figures, from 2004, show that there were 3390 prosecutions for failing to disclose a driver's identity, with 2319 of these people found guilty.

Other changes to penalties include:
• Penalty points received for failing to allow a sample to be subjected to a laboratory test will remain on a licence for 11 years instead of four.
• The maximum fine for careless or inconsiderate driving doubles to £5000.
• The maximum fine for not ensuring that children in the rear seat of vehicles are wearing seat belts increases from £200 to £500.
• A person using a vehicle in a dangerous condition for the second time in four years will be disqualified from driving for at least six months.