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width="1" height="1" //divpA new six-point penalty which would see speeding drivers lose their
licence after two offences is among proposals being considered by the government for strengthening
road safety./ppPublishing a consultation paper yesterday, ministers put forward a series of new
policies, including the creation of a formal drug-drive limit and changing fixed penalty notices
into more severe punishments for "excessive speeders" such as those who drive at 90mph on a
motorway./ppJim Fitzpatrick, the transport minister responsible for road safety, yesterday also
announced pound;2m to fund the introduction of digital breath-testing equipment and the
introduction of drink-drive checkpoints, both aimed at reducing police time spent dealing with
drunk driving./ppLast year there were 2,946 deaths and 30,000 serious injuries on British roads;
speed was a factor in 29% of the deaths. According to Department for Transport (DfT) research also
published yesterday, the worst excessive speeders are on motorways and in 30mph zones, accounting
for more than three out of 10 incidents. The study also showed that one in six drivers breach the
motorway speed limit by more than 10mph. Excessive speeding is defined as driving above the limit
by 10mph on motorways and A roads and by 5mph or more in 40 and 30mph zones./ppAt the moment, most
drivers who speed are punished with a fixed penalty notice of a fine and three points, but the
government wants to introduce more severe punishments, with "excessive speeders" automatically
given six points./ppMotorists who broke the rules twice would receive 12 points and be banned.
Government research suggested a six-point penalty prompted a change in behaviour, making most
drivers unlikely to fall foul of the repeat offence. The research also showed that while many
drivers stray above the limit, very few drive as much as 20mph over the limit. /ppThe government
hopes to enable the police to act against careless drivers who admit fault with a minimum of
bureaucracy. /ppThe document also contains a proposal for a formal drug-drive limit - 20% of all
road deaths are caused by drivers on illegal drugs. Since there is currently no legal limit for
drug users, it falls to police officers to prove wrongdoing, which has hitherto resulted in few
prosecutions. Yesterday Fitzpatrick said: "There is no legislation in place like drink-driving
where we could clearly easily prosecute anybody who does have illegal drugs in the system which is
impairing their ability to drive."/ppMinisters will also consult on the question of reducing the
legal alcohol limit from 80mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood; Britain has one of the highest
drink-drive limits in Europe. Campaigners would like it cut to 50mg. Yesterday, Fitzpatrick said
there had been "very serious discussion" about whether to lower the limit during the consultation
but yesterday ministers were advised to stop short of changing the limit without evidence of
improvements to safety./ppRobert Gifford, executive director of the parliamentary advisory council
for road transport safety, said it should be reduced to equivalent to half a pint of beer or a
small glass of wine. "It is disappointing to note the government does not propose to lower the
blood alcohol level. While the inclusion of a question about BAC [blood alcohol content] is
welcome, the text within the consultation is less than enthusiastic about a reduction."/ppThe
opposition welcomed the suggestions but questioned the government's tactics for increasing road
safety. Shadow transport secretary Theresa Villiers said: "The government must realise that if they
want to get tough on the most antisocial drivers, such as drug or drink drivers, they won't catch
them with speed cameras."/ppThe AA welcomed the government's consultation, saying that two-thirds
of its drivers supported the idea of higher penalties for those who break the speed limit by a
"considerable margin" and 80% support wider breath testing powers./pdiv style="float: left;
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