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Post date: 30-Jun-2014 15:26:59
The government is getting tough on motoring offences with the start of massive increases across the board for speeding fines. These proposed changes could give magistrates the power to fine motorists up to £10,000 if caught speeding on the motorway.
The move is designed to give magistrates’ courts greater power when dealing with a range of offences by raising the maximum financial penalties available. Fines imposed by magistrates for breaking the 70mph motorway limit are currently capped at £2,500, but may increase by up to 300% if the new legislation makes it past Parliament.
Speeding on all other roads, driving without insurance and using a mobile phone at the wheel could also leave drivers liable to heftier punishments, with the exact amount depending on the type of offence.
Level 1 fines @ £200 to increase to £800
Level 2 fines @ £500 to increase to £2,000
Level 3 fines @ £1,000 to increase to £4,000
Level 4 fines @ £2,500 to increase to £10,000
Motoring offences are not generally covered under level one but level two covers such matters as failing to wear a sealtbelt. Level three includes using a hand-held mobile phone behind the wheel. Offences such as speeding on a motorway or using a vehicle in a dangerous condition fall under level four. The most serious crime of all - including driving without insurance - currently carry a £5,000 maximum fine (but when have the courts ever issued that?!) This would be lifted completely with an unlimited fine available.
I have been hit by a young motorist who was totally at fault (approx 18 years of age and too busy looking with his passenger at some attractive girls on the pavement as he veered without realising into on-coming traffic forcing me to stop quickly. I pushed up against parked cars as close as I dare. On impact with me he removed my Cougars coupe electric, heated wing mirror nearly taking my body work and speed off, after initially stopping but when I asked for his insurance details he ran to his car and shot off!) With the details and description I provided to the police station of Leamington Spa within 5 minutes they immediately identified him, a serial offender first banned when he was under 16 when stopped for dangerous driving with no licence due to his age, and sent a car around to his address. Three months later I received a letter from the Warwickshire chief constable that no prosecution was going to take place!
The Ministry of justice have explained that the most severe fines will not be handed out to 'ordinary drivers' or those who can not afford them! I would argue that affordability doe not enter the equation based upon the seriousness of the offence committed, and why are such peoples' cars not seized when they have no insurance or MOT along with any fine or sentence that they may be given?
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