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Increases to penalty fines announced

16/11/2010

Laws surrounding penalties for motorists not wearing seatbelts or violating number plate laws are set to change in the New Year. Road Safety Minister Mike Penning has announced a series of draft amendments to current legislation, which means drivers from overseas will also have to pay when caught. "If laws are to be effective then it is vital that they are enforced fairly and proportionately, no matter who you are or where you are from," said Mr Penning. If the changes gain Parliamentary approval they will increase the on-the-spot penalty deposits - those which are issued in the place of on-the-spot fines to offenders who are unable to provide a UK address - for seatbelt and number plate offenders. This brings them into line with the normal £60 fixed penalties for those offences. Meanwhile, driving or keeping a vehicle with an obscured registration mark, or without a registration plate, will also be penalised more harshly, with the charge rising from £30 to £60. "Vehicles without a registration plate or with the plate obscured help law-breakers to avoid detection," continued Mr Penning. He said it is important that "proportionate penalties" are in place to deter those breaking the law. Car drivers are not the only road users affected by the proposals. There will be a decrease in the cost of the fixed penalty for insufficient motorcycle tyre tread depth, which will fall from £120 to £60, bringing it into line with the penalty for other non-commercial vehicles. All potential changes are set to come into effect on 01 February 2011. Last month the AA called for stronger measures against those who do not use seat belts, warning that nearly 300 lives each year would be saved if everyone travelling in cars used them on every journey.

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