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| Clampdown on excessive speeders | Clampdown on excessive speeders |
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| Drivers caught breaking the speed limit by a significant margin twice could be automatically banned from the roads under new government proposals. | Drivers caught breaking the speed limit by a significant margin twice could be automatically banned from the roads under new government proposals. |
| The idea, set out in a consultation paper, is one of a range of measures aimed at the most dangerous drivers. | The idea, set out in a consultation paper, is one of a range of measures aimed at the most dangerous drivers. |
| The document also suggests creating formal drug-drive limits in a bid to make prosecutions easier to achieve. | The document also suggests creating formal drug-drive limits in a bid to make prosecutions easier to achieve. |
| Ministers say they are still gathering evidence on whether the drink-drive limit should be lowered. | Ministers say they are still gathering evidence on whether the drink-drive limit should be lowered. |
| Road Safety Minister Jim Fitzpatrick told the BBC's Today programme the measures were about "being on the side of the safe motorist". | |
| FROM THE TODAY PROGRAMME More from Today programme | |
| The government wanted to address the 2,946 deaths and the 30,000 serious injuries on British roads last year, he said. | |
| "Notwithstanding that these are the best figures we've ever had, we know that we can do more and that we can reduce the numbers of people being killed and seriously injured and that means looking at speeding, drink driving, drug driving, careless driving and people not wearing seatbelts." | |
| Ministers would also be looking at whether the drink-drive limit was at the right level, he added. | |
| "We will be asking for opinions, we will be looking at the evidence because, again, drinking, we say, is responsible for around 500 of the 3,000 deaths." | |
| Disqualified | Disqualified |
| As the law currently stands, the majority of speeding offences are punished with a fixed penalty notice of a fine and three points. | As the law currently stands, the majority of speeding offences are punished with a fixed penalty notice of a fine and three points. |
| But the government wants to introduce tougher punishments for so-called "excessive speeders" - for example, those who drive at more than 90mph on a motorway. | But the government wants to introduce tougher punishments for so-called "excessive speeders" - for example, those who drive at more than 90mph on a motorway. |
| If adopted, the proposal - first mooted four years ago - would see these "anti-social drivers" automatically given six points. | If adopted, the proposal - first mooted four years ago - would see these "anti-social drivers" automatically given six points. |
| Being caught twice at such speeds would mean 12 points and an automatic disqualification from driving. These drivers do not believe they are impaired by the drugs they use Department for Transport | Being caught twice at such speeds would mean 12 points and an automatic disqualification from driving. These drivers do not believe they are impaired by the drugs they use Department for Transport |
| Also under consideration is the idea that the penalty for a minor speeding offence could be cut to two points. | Also under consideration is the idea that the penalty for a minor speeding offence could be cut to two points. |
| The government also wants to crack down on drivers who use drugs, particularly the "hard core of frequent drug drivers who are primarily males aged between 25 and 35". | The government also wants to crack down on drivers who use drugs, particularly the "hard core of frequent drug drivers who are primarily males aged between 25 and 35". |
| It estimates that up to one in five motorists killed in road accidents may have drugs in their system. | It estimates that up to one in five motorists killed in road accidents may have drugs in their system. |
| Mr Fitzpatrick told the BBC the message from the government was that people under the influence of illegal substances and some prescription drugs while driving would be exposing themselves to serious penalties. | |
| There are currently no drugs breathalysers and no legal "driving limit" for cannabis, heroin or cocaine, so it can be difficult for police on the roadside to tell what motorists have been taking. | There are currently no drugs breathalysers and no legal "driving limit" for cannabis, heroin or cocaine, so it can be difficult for police on the roadside to tell what motorists have been taking. |
| Nevertheless, the onus is on officers to prove that someone is impaired, perhaps by asking them to walk along a line, or estimate when 30 seconds have passed. | Nevertheless, the onus is on officers to prove that someone is impaired, perhaps by asking them to walk along a line, or estimate when 30 seconds have passed. |
| Ministers are considering whether introducing formal drug limits could make it easier gain prosecutions. | Ministers are considering whether introducing formal drug limits could make it easier gain prosecutions. |
| 'Informants' | 'Informants' |
| The three-month consultation unveiled on Thursday will also outline proposals to improve the enforcement of drink driving limits. | The three-month consultation unveiled on Thursday will also outline proposals to improve the enforcement of drink driving limits. |
| Britain has one of the highest limits in Europe and road safety campaigners had called for the current maximum of 80mg of alcohol in 100ml of blood to be lowered to 50mg. | Britain has one of the highest limits in Europe and road safety campaigners had called for the current maximum of 80mg of alcohol in 100ml of blood to be lowered to 50mg. |
| However, the consultation appears to shy away from this idea, suggesting other possible changes instead. | However, the consultation appears to shy away from this idea, suggesting other possible changes instead. |
| According to the Daily Telegraph newspaper, these include encouraging friends, neighbours and colleagues to inform police about people who frequently drink and drive. | According to the Daily Telegraph newspaper, these include encouraging friends, neighbours and colleagues to inform police about people who frequently drink and drive. |
| Those people would then get warning letters and could also be subject to spot checks, the paper said. | Those people would then get warning letters and could also be subject to spot checks, the paper said. |
| The number of people killed on British roads last year fell to the lowest level since records began, transport department figures show. | |
| Just over 2,940 people died in 2007, a drop of 7% from 2006, with child deaths dropping 28% to a record low of 121. | |
| How can we stop drivers from speeding? Do you speed? Send us your comments and experiences using the form below: | How can we stop drivers from speeding? Do you speed? Send us your comments and experiences using the form below: |
| In most cases a selection of your comments will be published, displaying your name and location unless you state otherwise in the box below. | In most cases a selection of your comments will be published, displaying your name and location unless you state otherwise in the box below. |
| Name | Name |