Teh One Who Knocks
08-20-2018, 10:59 AM
Zoe Dweitt for Metro.co.uk
https://i.imgur.com/CbywAOa.jpg
Drivers could be fined for going just 1mph over the speed limit under new police plans, according to reports.
Police have launched an official review into the ‘buffer zone’ which protects drivers by adding an allowance of 10% of the speed limit plus 2mph to the legal limit before they are punished.
The aim of the buffer zone is to stop drivers being fined or given points on their licence if they are driving slightly too fast – but the national roads policing chief is said to be in favour of scrapping it, according to the Mail on Sunday.
It says that in a report on the new tough approach, Chief Constable Anthony Bangham says the current guidance leads drivers to think ‘it is OK to speed’.
‘The existing speed enforcement guidance (in particular the now publicly stated 10% plus 2mph allowance) could in fact be encouraging driving at these more dangerous higher speeds rather than the actual speed limits.
‘If properly understood and applied, the guidance may provide forces with the necessary flexibility but over time its rigid application and understanding are often misunderstood, with an expectation that the ‘norm’ is ‘it is OK to speed’.’
If the buffer zone is abolished, it has been speculated that drivers could be punished for going just 1mph over the limit even on fast roads.
However a National Police Chiefs’ Council spokesman told Metro.co.uk this would be ‘neither proportionate or achievable’.
‘Officers have a range of options available to them when drivers are speeding and respond in a proportionate way based on the circumstances in each case,’ the spokesman said.
‘Current speed enforcement guidelines for police set in 2011 are being reviewed looking at available evidence.
‘The findings of the review will be considered by all chief constables before any action is taken. There is no proposal for drivers to be prosecuted for driving one mile per hour over the speed limit – that would be neither proportionate or achievable.’
What is the current rule?
https://i.imgur.com/hBG4EIN.jpg
Existing rules set by police chiefs make it clear that enforcement of speed limits must be ‘proportionate’ and take into account how clear speed signs are, what the road ‘feels like’ and the accuracy of speed cameras.
Drivers are allowed to speed within a ‘buffer zone’ – calculated by increasing the speed limit by ten per cent plus 2mph – before they will be hit with any action.
This means that a motorist could go up to 34mph in a built-up area and as fast as 78mph on a motorway before being punished.
What are the punishments?
Drivers caught speeding above the current ‘buffer zone’ are allowed to take a speed awareness course for a first time offence, while repeat offenders will be given a £100 fixed penalty notice and three points on their licence.
Those who drive substantially faster than the speed limit face higher fines and even disqualification.
https://i.imgur.com/VJyViu1.jpg
Latest Home Office figures show that there were 2.1m speeding offences dealt with by fines or in courts in England and Wales in 2016.
This number would be expected to rise significantly if the new stricter rules were brought in.
Road safety charity Brake said it would support a new tougher approach, saying travelling above the speed limit is not acceptable.
‘The existing speed enforcement guidance, the 10% plus 2mph rule, gives drivers the impression that travelling above the speed limit is acceptable – it is not,’ a spokesperson for the charity said.
https://i.imgur.com/CbywAOa.jpg
Drivers could be fined for going just 1mph over the speed limit under new police plans, according to reports.
Police have launched an official review into the ‘buffer zone’ which protects drivers by adding an allowance of 10% of the speed limit plus 2mph to the legal limit before they are punished.
The aim of the buffer zone is to stop drivers being fined or given points on their licence if they are driving slightly too fast – but the national roads policing chief is said to be in favour of scrapping it, according to the Mail on Sunday.
It says that in a report on the new tough approach, Chief Constable Anthony Bangham says the current guidance leads drivers to think ‘it is OK to speed’.
‘The existing speed enforcement guidance (in particular the now publicly stated 10% plus 2mph allowance) could in fact be encouraging driving at these more dangerous higher speeds rather than the actual speed limits.
‘If properly understood and applied, the guidance may provide forces with the necessary flexibility but over time its rigid application and understanding are often misunderstood, with an expectation that the ‘norm’ is ‘it is OK to speed’.’
If the buffer zone is abolished, it has been speculated that drivers could be punished for going just 1mph over the limit even on fast roads.
However a National Police Chiefs’ Council spokesman told Metro.co.uk this would be ‘neither proportionate or achievable’.
‘Officers have a range of options available to them when drivers are speeding and respond in a proportionate way based on the circumstances in each case,’ the spokesman said.
‘Current speed enforcement guidelines for police set in 2011 are being reviewed looking at available evidence.
‘The findings of the review will be considered by all chief constables before any action is taken. There is no proposal for drivers to be prosecuted for driving one mile per hour over the speed limit – that would be neither proportionate or achievable.’
What is the current rule?
https://i.imgur.com/hBG4EIN.jpg
Existing rules set by police chiefs make it clear that enforcement of speed limits must be ‘proportionate’ and take into account how clear speed signs are, what the road ‘feels like’ and the accuracy of speed cameras.
Drivers are allowed to speed within a ‘buffer zone’ – calculated by increasing the speed limit by ten per cent plus 2mph – before they will be hit with any action.
This means that a motorist could go up to 34mph in a built-up area and as fast as 78mph on a motorway before being punished.
What are the punishments?
Drivers caught speeding above the current ‘buffer zone’ are allowed to take a speed awareness course for a first time offence, while repeat offenders will be given a £100 fixed penalty notice and three points on their licence.
Those who drive substantially faster than the speed limit face higher fines and even disqualification.
https://i.imgur.com/VJyViu1.jpg
Latest Home Office figures show that there were 2.1m speeding offences dealt with by fines or in courts in England and Wales in 2016.
This number would be expected to rise significantly if the new stricter rules were brought in.
Road safety charity Brake said it would support a new tougher approach, saying travelling above the speed limit is not acceptable.
‘The existing speed enforcement guidance, the 10% plus 2mph rule, gives drivers the impression that travelling above the speed limit is acceptable – it is not,’ a spokesperson for the charity said.