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'Cassie's Law': DVLA licence removal changes welcomed | 'Cassie's Law': DVLA licence removal changes welcomed |
(about 3 hours later) | |
Driving licences will be removed within hours from those posing a threat to other road users under new rules. | Driving licences will be removed within hours from those posing a threat to other road users under new rules. |
Changes at the DVLA follow a campaign by Jackie McCord, whose daughter was killed in 2011 by an elderly motorist who police had told not to drive. | Changes at the DVLA follow a campaign by Jackie McCord, whose daughter was killed in 2011 by an elderly motorist who police had told not to drive. |
Police previously had to write or fax a request for licence removal. They can now telephone or email. | Police previously had to write or fax a request for licence removal. They can now telephone or email. |
The death of Colchester 16-year-old Cassie McCord led to 45,000 petition signatures for the change. | |
Cassie, who wanted to become a lawyer, was hit by driver Colin Horsfall on a pavement as she was on her way to college. | Cassie, who wanted to become a lawyer, was hit by driver Colin Horsfall on a pavement as she was on her way to college. |
Three days earlier, Mr Horsfall failed a police eye test when he drove into the exit of a petrol station. | Three days earlier, Mr Horsfall failed a police eye test when he drove into the exit of a petrol station. |
He refused to surrender his licence and police were trying to get it revoked when Cassie was hit. | He refused to surrender his licence and police were trying to get it revoked when Cassie was hit. |
Mrs McCord had wanted a change in the law - known as "Cassie's Law" - to give police power to remove licences. | Mrs McCord had wanted a change in the law - known as "Cassie's Law" - to give police power to remove licences. |
Although the changes at the DVLA do not go that far, Mrs McCord said: "I am confident this is a really good solution. | Although the changes at the DVLA do not go that far, Mrs McCord said: "I am confident this is a really good solution. |
"The fact the Department for Transport has listened to someone like me who has no power is amazing. | "The fact the Department for Transport has listened to someone like me who has no power is amazing. |
"Next week it will be two years since Cassie died. The timing could not be better." | "Next week it will be two years since Cassie died. The timing could not be better." |
'Defective eyesight' | 'Defective eyesight' |
Under the previous arrangements, police had to send a letter or fax a request to remove a licence. The process could take several days. | Under the previous arrangements, police had to send a letter or fax a request to remove a licence. The process could take several days. |
Using the new email system, removing a licence could now take minutes. | Using the new email system, removing a licence could now take minutes. |
Road safety minister Stephen Hammond said: 'We have every sympathy with Mrs McCord and would like to thank her for her valuable work in raising awareness of this issue. | Road safety minister Stephen Hammond said: 'We have every sympathy with Mrs McCord and would like to thank her for her valuable work in raising awareness of this issue. |
"The DVLA and the police have worked closely to greatly streamline the process for revoking a licence when the police identify that a driver's eyesight is inadequate. | "The DVLA and the police have worked closely to greatly streamline the process for revoking a licence when the police identify that a driver's eyesight is inadequate. |
'The decision whether to revoke a driving licence on medical grounds remains with the DVLA, though the process for informing drivers that their licence has been revoked has now been accelerated." | 'The decision whether to revoke a driving licence on medical grounds remains with the DVLA, though the process for informing drivers that their licence has been revoked has now been accelerated." |
Alan Jones, the Police Federation's roads policing lead for England and Wales, said: "It seems absolute nonsense a police officer who knows someone has defective eyesight has not been able to do anything. | Alan Jones, the Police Federation's roads policing lead for England and Wales, said: "It seems absolute nonsense a police officer who knows someone has defective eyesight has not been able to do anything. |
"We believe what the Department for Transport has suggested is something which would work. | "We believe what the Department for Transport has suggested is something which would work. |
"I know Cassie's Law asked for the police officer to have the authority to suspend a licence. In this suggestion, the officer acts as a conduit and we are happy with that." | "I know Cassie's Law asked for the police officer to have the authority to suspend a licence. In this suggestion, the officer acts as a conduit and we are happy with that." |
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