Pro-cycling MPs have proposed stiffer penalties for drivers of heavy cars, such as SUVs, involved in serious accidents. In a report to be published on Monday, the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Cycling & Walking (APPGCW) argues that driving large vehicles should be considered an “aggravating factor” during sentencing for motoring offenses. The report suggests that the current guidelines, which recognize the added responsibility of road safety for dangerous forms of transport like commercial HGV lorries, should be expanded to include the biggest and heaviest cars on the roads. The report states: “Passenger cars vary greatly in weight, so aggravating factors should, we argue, take this into account.”
Claire Armstrong of the campaign group Safe Speed disagrees with the proposal, asserting that driving a 4×4 does not make someone a more dangerous motorist. She argues that it is unfair to suggest that killing someone while driving an SUV is worse than killing someone while riding a motorbike.
Breaking the speed limit
The report from MPs also calls for stricter enforcement of speed limits, with no leniency for offenders. Currently, drivers are typically only prosecuted if they exceed the speed limit by 10% plus two miles per hour, allowing them to travel at 35mph in a 30mph zone without risking a fine. The MPs want these tolerances completely eliminated, so that drivers face fines and points for exceeding the limit by just one mile per hour. The report cites data from 2021, which suggests that over half of all cars on British roads exceed 30mph limits, as evidence that the current system encourages drivers to ignore speed limits. The report states: “If drivers exceed posted speed limits, their ability to avoid collisions decreases, and the severity of any collision increases. Moreover, if the assumption is that one can speed (to an extent) without consequences, this fosters a lack of respect for traffic laws. We believe that speed limits and their enforcement are fundamental to road justice because speeding accounts for the majority of offenses committed on the roads. We, therefore, recommend removing tolerances in the enforcement of speeding.”
Unfair on drivers
However, opponents of the proposal, like Claire Armstrong, argue that eliminating the tolerance for speeding would be unfair to drivers and could potentially lead to more accidents. They contend that there should be some leeway built into the system, as even the most advanced vehicles cannot be completely accurate, and strictly adhering to speed limits does not guarantee safe driving. They also suggest that constantly monitoring the speedometer to stay within the limit could distract drivers from focusing on the road. Ian Taylor, director of the Alliance of British Drivers, questions the consequences of eliminating tolerances, stating that it could result in excessively slow driving, likening it to the 1930s and joking, “What next, a man walking in front of your car waving a red flag?”
The report also criticizes the use of the “exceptional hardship” excuse, which allows drivers with 12 or more points on their license to avoid a driving ban. Currently, almost a quarter of motorists who accumulate enough points to be disqualified successfully convince magistrates to let them keep their license. The report argues that if nearly one-quarter of any group is considered exceptional, then there is something wrong with the definition or application of the term. It deems this unacceptable because it may endanger other road users and sends the message that totting-up disqualifications can be circumvented. The MPs recommend that magistrates should no longer have the power to grant an exceptional hardship exemption for drivers with 12 points or more and that these drivers should appeal to the Crown Court instead.
Retake driving test if banned
The report also suggests that individuals banned from driving for a period should be required to retake a driving test before being allowed back on the roads.
Ruth Cadbury MP, co-chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Party Group for Cycling and Walking, defends the recommendations, stating that achieving true road justice is crucial for unlocking the potential of walking, cycling, and wheeling. She emphasizes the need for change and invites support from those who share their commitment to this issue. Chris Boardman, former Olympic and world champion cyclist, supports the recommendations, stating that dangerous driving, lawbreaking, and endangering others are choices. He believes these measures will only have a negative impact on those who break the law, especially repeat offenders, and calls them consistent with the pursuit of a civilized society.
A Government spokesperson states that road safety is a priority for the Government, and they are committed to cracking down on motorists who break the rules. They promise to review the report’s findings and consider them.
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