A raft of new measures to tackle drink driving, clampdown on the menace of uninsured and irresponsible driving and improve road safety was unveiled as the Government's Road Safety Bill was published. Britain has one of the best road safety records in the world and the Government is committed to reducing the numbers of people killed and seriously injured on our roads by 40 per cent by 2010. In 2003 the number of people killed and seriously injured in accidents fell to 37,215 - which is 22% below the 1994-98 average. The number of children killed or seriously injured fell to 4,100 and was 40% below. However, in 2003, 3508 people were killed on the roads and reducing death and injury remains a priority. The new Road Safety Bill builds on progress made to date and continues the Government's commitment to drive down casualties on the roads. Measures outlined in the Bill include: * New police powers to take drink-drive evidence at the roadside and closing a loophole allowing offenders at highest risk of re-offending to only drive after medical enquiries. * Powers to allow mandatory re-testing of drivers disqualified for 24 months or more - toughening up the penalties for the worst offending drink drivers and other irresponsible drivers. * Provide powers for a more flexible system of fixed penalties for speeding to match the punishment to the severity of the offence. * Improving driver compliance through tougher penalties for using a hand held mobile phone while driving, careless driving and using a vehicle in a dangerous condition. * Clamping down on uninsured drivers by allowing the police to make better use of motor insurance data to detect illegal drivers - supporting the use of Automatic Number Plate Recognition technology and new powers in the Serious Organised Crime and Police Powers Bill to seize and dispose of uninsured vehicles. * Ensure that foreign drivers cannot escape punishment in Great Britain through powers to issue fixed penalties and require deposits. * Clarify the provisions that allow certain vehicles to exceed listed speed limits in emergency situations and what driver training would be required. * Deal with poor driving standards by allowing the courts to make increased use of retraining courses for serious bad drivers and through improvements to driving instruction and testing procedures. * Tackle fatigue related accidents by piloting motorway rest areas and providing for better enforcement of Drivers' Hours rules. * Ensure better security and accuracy of the Driving and Vehicle Licence records to tackle licence fraud and help prevent "clocking" in vehicles as well as making various administrative changes to the licensing regime. (Author/publisher)
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