Plans to reduce speed limits
The Government has announced new proposals, which are currently subject to consultation, the aim of which is to further reduce Road Traffic accidents. The stated aim of the proposal as a whole is to cut the of number fatal Road Traffic accidents. The hoped for reduction would see the number of deaths reduced from the current level of 3,000 per year to 2,000. It is anticipated that if the proposals are implemented this figure would be achieved by 2020.
The full details of the proposals will be subject to a period of consultation, but the headline announcements tell us the means by which the Government seeks to achieve the stated aim.
The reduction in standard speed limits grabbed much of the recent media attention. This will enable Local Authorities to cut speed limits in areas outside of schools and also other residential areas. This could result in speed limits of 20mph outside of a school, down from the usual current limit of 30mph. It would also enable a Local Authority to reduce the speed limit outside of an urban area in say an accident black-spot in the countryside. This could see the limit being reduced from 60mph to 50mph.
Changes are also to be proposed to the driving test. This will entail the candidate being asked to find a certain location with reference to road signs, instead of following directions given by the examiner. The aim of the changes is to test people on how they will drive once they have passed the test. Certainly, at the start, it is likely to result in a drop in the pass rate.
The proposals detailed above were heavily trailed in the media. On first glance, the changes would not offend. The consultation contained proposals to increase the use of fixed penalty notices and fines. Additionally the police may be given increased powers to stop a vehicle without suspecting an offence to have been committed, as is currently the case. Finally it has been suggested that the motorist will lose the right to challenge some charges. These charges would, no doubt, be included in the proposed change which would result in the increased scope of fixed penalty notices.
As with any changes the headline grabbing proposals are to be welcomed, especially if the stated aim reduces casualties. The problem is that the additional proposals, which didn’t receive the same level of media coverage, would have no role in assisting with the stated aim. What appears to be a laudable aim is, on closer reflection, a further attempt to limit the rights of the motorist.