SPEEDING DRIVERS TO DODGE PENALTY POINTS
Legal shake-up as thousands to go on awareness courses instead of getting points on their licence
THOUSANDS of speeding drivers will be spared points on their licence in a radical shake-up of the law.
For the first time, drivers just above the speed limit will be able to dodge points or fines – if they go on a speed awareness course (SAC).
Police, politicians and motoring groups have lobbied for Scotland to fall in line with England and Wales, where the courses have operated for years.
Now Scotland’s most senior law officer has formally backed the introduction of the courses – which means they could be rolled out within months.
Analysis in England and Wales suggests day courses – costing less than £100 – are an effective way of stopping speeding. They are also a better option
for drivers than the current system of points or fines as the courses do not always need to be declared to insurance companies, so do not automatically mean an increase in premiums.
Lord Advocate James Wolffe has written to MSPs backing the introduction of SACs ‘in principle’. A working group involving Transport Scotland, Police Scotland, the Crown Office and others will now look at how this should work in practice.
In England and Wales, courses are typically independently run, cost under £100 and last around four hours. They impress on drivers the consequences of inappropriate speed and how a few extra miles per hour can cause serious injury or death in a collision.
Last year, a UK Government assessment found the courses cut reoffending by up to a quarter in the first six months and were more effective at reducing speed than fines and points. Those findings were included in a Police Scotland report to the Lord Advocate, which backed their introduction north of the Border – although in reality police have been in favour of them for more than a decade.
At the end of last month, the Lord Advocate gave the green light.
A Crown Office submission to the petitions committee on January 31 said: ‘These proposals have been considered carefully by the Lord Advocate, who has agreed in principle to the diversion at source to SACs by Police Scotland as an alternative to prosecution in appropriate cases.
‘This is subject to approval of the specific arrangements which are to be put in place.
‘A multi-agency working group will devise the necessary infrastructure and guidance required to support the introduction of SACs in Scotland. This work will include the identification of potential course providers.’
The Crown Office would not be drawn on when the group would report back, or on when SACs might be launched in Scotland.
Scottish Tory justice spokesman Liam Kerr said: ‘Despite the lengthy wait, the introduction of SACs for lower level speeders in Scotland is very welcome.
‘The SNP Government should take forward this constructive proposal immediately and ensure that drivers who exceed the speed limit are given the opportunity to correct their habits.’
Neil Greig, policy director of IAM Road Smart, said: ‘This is a major step forward. We have been calling for this for many years. There’s no reason we should not have them in Scotland, when they have been such a big success in England.
‘More than a million drivers attend SACs every year south of the Border. That’s a big number.
‘It’s the only time that drivers get their attitudes and urban myths around speeding challenged. Research shows that makes themless likely to speed again.’
IPSOS Mori research of courses in England and Wales, published by the UK Government last year, found drivers were 12-23 per cent less likely to reoffend within six months. That fell to between 6 and 13 per cent within three years.
Chief Superintendent Garry McEwan said: ‘Police Scotland has received approval in principle to commence work to introduce SACs to Scotland. Only once this has been completed and approved by the Lord Advocate will we be able to consider implementation.’
But some campaigners say SACs should be in addition to a fine and points, not an alternative.
Joshua Harris, director of campaigns at road safety charity Brake, said: ‘SACs should only be used for minor infringements, with prosecution remaining an option. It is important drivers understand the dangers of speeding and that the punishment echoes the gravity of the offence.’
‘We have been calling for this for many years’