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Fixed penalty fines for traffic offences could rise 50% to £90 Fixed penalty fines for traffic offences could rise 50% to £90
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Fines for breaking the rules of the road could be increased from £60 to £90 under Government plans that have been sent out for consultation. Fines for breaking the rules of the road could be increased from £60 to £90 under government plans that have been sent out for consultation.
Transport minister Mike Penning told parliament the current enforcement process for dealing with careless driving takes too long and is inefficient. Transport minister Mike Penning told parliament the enforcement process for dealing with careless driving takes too long and is inefficient.
The government is proposing to create a new fixed penalty offence of careless driving and increasing the fine for a range of motoring offences, usually ones which add points to a licence. Parking fines issued through fixed penalty notices (FPN) will not be increased, Penning said. The government is proposing to create a new fixed penalty offence of careless driving and increase the fines for a range of motoring offences, usually those that add points to a licence. Parking fines issued through fixed penalty notices (FPN) will not be increased, Penning said.
In a written statement to parliament, the minister said: "We are therefore proposing to make careless driving a fixed penalty offence and open to the offer of education training.In a written statement to parliament, the minister said: "We are therefore proposing to make careless driving a fixed penalty offence and open to the offer of education training.
"We believe this will help the police to enforce against this offence more efficiently. It will also provide greater flexibility in dealing with those low-level careless driving behaviours that fall below the threshold for a court summons, enabling the greater use of educational training."We believe this will help the police to enforce against this offence more efficiently. It will also provide greater flexibility in dealing with those low-level careless driving behaviours that fall below the threshold for a court summons, enabling the greater use of educational training.
"We will also be consulting on raising the level of many motoring fixed penalty notices, including increasing the penalty levels for many, usually endorsable, road traffic £60 FPN offences to £90."We will also be consulting on raising the level of many motoring fixed penalty notices, including increasing the penalty levels for many, usually endorsable, road traffic £60 FPN offences to £90.
"We have broadened the scope of the measure and are consulting on other options including, increasing the levels for non-endorsable offences, motor insurance offences, and graduated fixed penalties – all by a similar proportion." "We have broadened the scope of the measure and are consulting on other options including increasing the levels for non-endorsable offences, motor insurance offences, and graduated fixed penalties – all by a similar proportion."
Penning said many of the penalties had not been increased since 2000 and are lower than fixed penalties for other offences, such as disorder.Penning said many of the penalties had not been increased since 2000 and are lower than fixed penalties for other offences, such as disorder.
He added: "These measures will play an important role in improving road safety for all road users as well as maintaining compliance with motoring laws."He added: "These measures will play an important role in improving road safety for all road users as well as maintaining compliance with motoring laws."
The Department for Transport has published a consultation paper and said the work followed the government's strategic framework for road safety, published in May 2011.The Department for Transport has published a consultation paper and said the work followed the government's strategic framework for road safety, published in May 2011.
Robert Gifford, executive director of the Parliamentary Advisory Council for Transport Safety (Pacts), said: "The proposal to include careless driving in the list of potential fixed penalty notices was included in a consultation in November 2008. At the time, Pacts gave a cautious welcome to the proposal. That remains our position today. Robert Gifford, the executive director of the Parliamentary Advisory Council for Transport Safety (Pacts), said: "The proposal to include careless driving in the list of potential fixed penalty notices was included in a consultation in November 2008. At the time, Pacts gave a cautious welcome to the proposal. That remains our position today.
"In 2011, just over 26,000 drivers were prosecuted for careless or inconsiderate driving, according to Ministry of Justice figures. The question will be whether there is an increase in enforcement as a result of this proposal."In 2011, just over 26,000 drivers were prosecuted for careless or inconsiderate driving, according to Ministry of Justice figures. The question will be whether there is an increase in enforcement as a result of this proposal.
"To enforce a FPN properly, there will need to be a greater police presence. At a time of cuts in police budgets and reductions in dedicated roads policing, increases in visible enforcement seem a little unlikely."To enforce a FPN properly, there will need to be a greater police presence. At a time of cuts in police budgets and reductions in dedicated roads policing, increases in visible enforcement seem a little unlikely.
"Deterrence works through a combination of certainty, severity and speed. The most important of these is certainty. If there is a small likelihood of being caught, drivers will continue to behave illegally."Deterrence works through a combination of certainty, severity and speed. The most important of these is certainty. If there is a small likelihood of being caught, drivers will continue to behave illegally.
"In addition, the department will need to ensure that the effect of any courses is monitored carefully. The evidence for the effectiveness of educational interventions is limited. Placing such weight on such evidence as the Department for Transport cites suggests that this is a proposal undertaken more in hope than as a result of experience.""In addition, the department will need to ensure that the effect of any courses is monitored carefully. The evidence for the effectiveness of educational interventions is limited. Placing such weight on such evidence as the Department for Transport cites suggests that this is a proposal undertaken more in hope than as a result of experience."