DFT Compliance Consultation Paper

Tougher speeding penalties welcomed

RoadPeace welcomes the proposal to increase the penalties for extreme speeding (20 mph or more over the limit). Since this was first discussed four years ago, over 3000 have died in collisions involving speed. This measure is long overdue.

But does it go far enough? Research has shown that extreme speeding is more dangerous than drink driving. For over 40 years, first time drink drivers have received a 12 month ban. First time extreme speeders should also be banned for this duration. And the penalty for extreme speeding should increase with repeat offences as is the case with drink driving.

The pro speeding lobby will argue that speeding causes few crashes. They will rely on the contributory factors that are guestimated by the reporting officer before the investigation has even properly begun. Yet there is strong evidence that shows contributory factors are gross underestimates. But even contributory factors show that speed (excessive and inappropriate) is involved in over 3 times more crashes than drink driving, 30 times more than drug driving, 10 times more than fatigue and 60 times more than mobile phone use.  Speed is also the only factor which aggravates the severity of the crash as well as its incidence. No one should doubt the key role of speed in reducing road traffic casualties and crashes.

Another knee jerk reaction for many will be that this is just another revenue raising gimmick. Yet this move will actually reduce the fines collected from speeders.

RoadPeace also welcomes the review of the drink drive limit and the attempt to set drug limits that indicate impairment. But we also know that research has shown that risk of detection is even more important than penalty severity and greater enforcement and detection is needed to deter law breaking on the road.