It is likely that the power of the police to
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impose speeding fixed penalty notices not only for three points but for six points (for higher excess speed) will come into force. The basic legislation was put in place in the Road Safety Act 2006 and a public consultation has closed. Police would issue fixed penalty tickets for six penalty points for offences where a driver's speed exceeded the relevant limit by 20mph or more, for example, 70mph in a 50mph zone.
A more contentious issue is whether there will be a lower excess speed tolerance in 20mch and 30mph speed zones, the suggestion being that a tolerance of only 15mph be allowed. This would mean that 45mph in a 30mph zone would attract a fixed penalty with six penalty points.
This is potentially a danger area for professional drivers who are travelling high mileages each year and who often may be susceptible to attracting fixed penalties in lower speed zones. Such drivers may find themselves totting up by attracting 12 or more penalty points in a three-year offending period.
Further potential change is the possible introduction of fixed penalty points issued by police for careless driving. The Magistrates Association, among others, has voiced concerns about the relentless move towards fixed penalty disposals for matters that should properly be determined in a court of law and not by police officers at the roadside.
For more information go to www.vosa.gov.uk/