Graduated speeding penalties would hit haulage companies
Date: 17 July 2007
The government is proposing new rules which could mean drivers are banned after two speeding offences, a move that is sure to irritate many in the haulage and logistics industry.
Such 'graduated' speeding penalties would mean that breaking speed limits by a significant amount would lead to six penalty points, with 12 points meaning an automatic ban.
Although drivers exceeding the limit by a few miles per hour may get only two points, those doing 45mph in a 30mph zone would get six points, as would those travelling 32mph in a 20 zone or 57mph in a 40 zone.
However, road safety campaign group Safe Speed argued that such measures were "flawed to the core", arguing that speeding should be treated in a more holistic manner.
"To suggest that 35mph past a school gate at 3.45am and 3.45pm are equal offences is nothing less than absurd," said Safe Speed founder Paul Smith.
"We have done extraordinary damage to our road safety systems with excessive emphasis on speed limit compliance - and these proposals are all set to make matters worse."
He said that at the present time we are a nation of drivers who adjust their speed to suit the conditions, which is precisely what is needed to promote road safety.
The new proposals are sure to cause a stir among freight forwarders and others who use the UK's roads frequently.
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