Laser glare dazzles late-night driver

LOCAL police received a report of a laser light being shone at a motorist in Sibson.

The report came in on on the morning of December 17 with the driver claiming he had been “blinded” by the light which came from another vehicle.

He was unable to give officers any details of the alleged offenders’ vehicle due to the glare.

The incident happened at around midnight on December 16 on the A444 between Sibson and Wellesborough.

It was among a variety of incidents reported to Market Bosworth Police during a busy 48 hour period.

Proposed new penalties for laser perpetrators will mean jail for offenders as the Government aims to clamp down on the potentially “catastrophic” practice.

Thanks to new legislation put forward by the Department for Transport anyone convicted of shining a laser at the operator of any vehicle could face five years in prison. They could also receive unlimited fines.

Under current legislation, which only covers aircraft, the maximum penalty for using lasers against a pilot is £2,500.

The Laser Misuse (Vehicles) Bill expands the types of transport which are covered to include vehicles including cars, trains, buses, boats and hovercraft.

Prosecutors will no longer need to prove intent, just that a laser was used.

It will be an offence to dazzle or distract the operator of a vehicle either deliberately or if reasonable precautions to avoid doing so are not taken.

Laser pens have become a growing concern with the beam from the devices capable of affecting the ability of transport operators to control their vehicles.

Last year, the Civil Aviation Authority received reports of 1,258 laser incidents, with Heathrow the most frequent location for reports of the devices being used recklessly.

National Police Chiefs’ Council lead for lasers, Commander Simon Bray said: “Recklessly shining a laser at an aircraft or another moving vehicle is deeply irresponsible and dangerous. By causing a distraction or, in some cases, short or long-term eye damage, laser attacks can lead to catastrophic incidents.”