Speeding drivers on course to bypass points on licence

MOTORISTS in Scotland who are caught speeding could soon be able

avoid getting points on their licence – thanks to a major shake-up of the country’s driving laws.

The Scottish Mail on Sunday last week published damning proof that drivers north of the Border are ‘unfairly persecuted’ by police.

Our figures showed Scots were far more likely to end up with points than their counterparts in England and Wales – mainly because drivers down south can go on speed awareness courses rather than having their licences endorsed.

Now we can reveal a similar scheme is being actively considered to bring Scotland in line with the rest of Britain.

Last night, the RAC welcomed any proposal to introduce education as ‘a valuable alternative to penalty points’.

The organisation’s head of external affairs Pete Williams said: ‘Such courses have been successful elsewhere in the UK in tackling speeding and road safety issues generally.

‘This has to be good news as this gives motorists the chance to understand the dangers associated with speed rather than simply adding points to their licences without any driver-education benefit. Ultimately, this should help to save lives and prevent injuries.’

Last week this paper revealed DVLA data covering more than 2,500 postcode districts showing what percentage of drivers in each area had endorsements – and 80 of the 100 highest-ranking areas were in Scotland.

Motoring experts including the RAC and the AA said the absence of speed awareness courses in lieu of fines and points was a significant factor.

However, the Scottish Government has since confirmed it is considering a scheme in this country. A Transport Scotland spokeswoman said: ‘We have set up a working group of road safety partners with professional expertise in this area – including Police Scotland and the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service – to give detailed consideration to whether speed awareness courses are an appropriate road safety intervention for Scotland.’

Attendees must pay for the courses themselves, with fees usually between £60 and £100, and once they have completed it they are ineligible to take part in another if they reoffend within three years.