A Q&A with Santa, and Fleet Manager Mrs Claus, of North Pole Inc
The Department for Transport is currently seeking the public's views on whether to make careless driving a fixed penalty notice (FPN) offence. If introduced, the proposal would allow Police forces to issue FPNs or remedial training to drivers for "low level" careless driving offences such as tail gating, hogging the outside lanes when the inside lanes are clear of traffic and driving at inappropriate speeds.
At first this might seem like another attack on the motorists wallet but, promisingly, guidance notes for Police forces will "encourage the use of remedial training" rather than issuing fines which will enable "more offenders to address behaviours through education".
If this guidance becomes reality it will be great news and would build on the work that forces such as Leicestershire's Road Policing Unit are already doing. Their road safety clinics offer motorists caught speeding, drink-driving, using a mobile phone or not wearing seatbelts the chance to attend road safety awareness sessions to educate motorists on the danger they are putting themselves and others in.
While we do have some concerns about how consistently these new powers will be implemented from force to force, here at Navman Wireless we strongly believe that driver training is a key ingredient to making the roads safer for everyone.
If you would like to respond to the consultation, send an email to motoringfpnsconsultation@dft.gsi.gov.uk.