Government speeds Road Traffic Bill
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from our Parliamentary correspondent
• To avoid delay the Government has decided to introduce the new Road Traffic Bill in the Lords.
The Bill, will give the Government more power to control the size, design and routes of heavy commercial vehicles.
But the Queen's Speech on Tuesday suggests that Mr John Peyton will also use the measure to amend the existing licensing system for bus and coach operators to provide more flexibility.
Mr Rippon, Secretary for the Environment, has indicated that the Bill will make provision for the future introduction of a system of road pricing in towns and cifies. Government proposals will also include a lorry-route system outside towns, and more lorry parks.
Another provision will be the introduction of "keeper liability" to end the abuse through the non-payment of fines of the fixed penalty system for driving offences. Under the Bill liability for fines will ultimately fall on the person or company in whose name a vehicle is registered, rather than the driver.
This will also apply to lighting offences and failure to display excise licences.