RoSPA Press Office : Press Release
January 23, 2004
CUTTING POINTS FOR SPEEDERS WOULD HIT ROAD SAFETY
Proposals to reduce the number of penalty points motorists receive for speeding would be a backward step in terms of road safety, the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents, said today.
Kevin Clinton, RoSPA Head of Road Safety, said: “The current system of three penalty points for speeding is the major deterrent for drivers rather than the fine.
“RoSPA would strongly oppose any reduction in penalty points for speeders as it would be a backward step for road safety. It would send the wrong message and make it even harder to convince drivers that inappropriate speed is dangerous and criminal.”
He was commenting on reports that the Government is looking at alterations to the points system under which people are banned after four speeding offences. Drivers are fined £60 and receive three penalty points for each offence and are liable for disqualification once they reach 12. Reports say a review of the system will consider whether fewer points would be allocated for “lesser” speeding offences. One suggestion is that someone travelling at 90mph in a 70mph zone would still get three points, but someone travelling at 35 mph in a 30mph zone would only get two.
Kevin Clinton said: “The Government’s own advertising explains that a driver is twice as likely to kill someone at 35mph as at 30mph.
“Speed cameras save lives. They reduce the number of people killed or seriously injured by 35 per cent and cut the number of pedestrians killed or injured at camera sites by more than half.
“Even in good conditions the difference in stopping distance between 30 and 35mph is an extra 21ft – more than two car lengths.
“Even small amounts above the speed limit can make the difference between life and death.”
