News Story 8. News Headlines.
I
I
This Article was written by Paul Eastham: [Deputy Political Editor:] it was publish in Britain on 31st. December, 2003... by 'The Daily Mail'. 
I
I
I
Labour hijack Tory plans to help beleaguered motorists.
I
Labour bowed to growing public disquiet last night and announced a curb on the massive spread of speed cameras.  In a major U-turn, ministers said they would 'look at' Tory plans to spare thousands of drivers from bans by scrapping penalty points for all but the most dangerous cases.  They also offered a big concession to critics who accuse the Government of using the speed-trap network to raise money rather than protect the public.  
I
Ministers are writing to councils and police forces telling them to ensure that all cameras contribute to road safety - and to remove any designed purely to make money.  The moves came as ministers were forced to admit that there are now 4,500 cameras on Britain's road network and raise around £17million a year for the Treasury.  The windfall is not necessarily spent on roads.
I
The policy swerve came after Tory transport spokesman Damian Green announced plans to overhaul the rules surrounding speed cameras if his party gets into power.  He said many drivers caught by speed cameras should face only fines, not points on their licences.  But stricter penalties - such as four or five points and higher fines - would be given for speeding in more dangerous areas, such as outside schools.
I
Under the current system, drivers risk losing their licences if they reach 12 points - which can be four offences or fewer.  An estimated two million people received £60 fines and three penalty points in the last year, according to police chiefs.  Mr Green argues that many drivers believe this toll shows the law is starting to operate in an arbitrary way.
I
He said only about 1,000 areas, where the risk of death was highest, should carry penalty points.  He also called for an audit of the cameras, to find out which ones reduced accidents and which appeared to be there only to raise money.  The AA warned that the plan would send out 'mixed messages'.  But ministers, clearly caught on the hop, appeared to believe Mr Green had highlighted a real sense of injustice which threatened to take votes away from Labour.
I
Labour gets aboard the anti-camera bandwagon.
I
Rather than indulge in the ritual dismissal of the policy, Transport Minister Tony McNulty said he would consider the proposals.  Brushing aside complaints that the cameras were purely designed to raise money for the Treasury, he insisted the system had been conceived strictly for road safety.  But he said any that were not contributing to safety should be removed.
I
Mr McNulty said the Government was writing to all councils and police forces to make sure cameras were being used fairly.  'I am more than happy that we look at what Damian Green has been suggesting and if there is some merit in it, it's something we may well take on board,' he told BBC Radio 4's The World At One.  'We have got a good record on road safety in Britain.  Cameras are part of that good record - they are not just revenue schemes.'
I
Mr Green welcomed Mr McNulty's remarks but stressed that voters would believe Labour's good intentions when they put the problem right.  He said that motorists felt they were being 'fleeced' at the moment and stressed that the Tories would go far further than Mr McNulty had indicated.  A Tory administration would abolish the so-called 'speed camera partnerships', which run the network previously operated by the police.  They are seen as an unnecessary layer of bureaucracy.
I
The Conservatives also voiced concern about road humps, saying they could hinder the emergency services.  'It is vital that the emergency services are consulted both on new schemes for speed humps and on the existing ones,' said Mr Green.  'It would be absurd if a measure designed to save lives was actually costing lives, because the response times of fire engines, ambulances and police cars was being increased.'
I
Meanwhile, motorists who slam on their brakes to 'cheat' speed cameras are being secretly filmed by police.  The move is aimed at catching drivers who seek to evade capture by braking hard to go below the speed limit just before the camera - then accelerate away over the limit.  Traffic officers are using unmarked cars to tail the suspects and video them.  
I
The crackdown has been launched in London but is being monitored by other forces.  Police say the trial is a major success, after catching 131 motorists in three weeks.  They say 54 faced prosecution for serious offences, including dangerous driving and drink-driving.  Nearly a third of those prosecuted had no driving licence and insurance.  
I
The police are also targeting motorists who tailgate: overtake on the inside: weave in and out of traffic: cut in front of other drivers and bully or intimidate other motorists.
I
I
Back to the Top. Home. Site Plan.
Speedtraps UK. RoadPilot. Snooper. Road Angel GPS.