Act welcomed - but could have gone further

While welcoming the government's new Road Safety Act, LARSOA has also expressed disappointment that it 'does not include other simple safety measures that would contribute to improving the UK's road safety record even more'.

Although the Bill is now an Act (having received Royal Assent last week), none of the measures will come into immediate effect. While the Act enables the government to introduce the new measures, 'commencement orders' are now required. These will be brought forward over a period of time, but some measures will require further consultation with interested parties.  

LARSOA particularly welcomes the introduction of the new offences of causing death by careless driving and causing death by driving while unlicensed, disqualified or uninsured. It also welcomes the increase in penalties for using a hand-held mobile phone while driving.

Simon Ettinghausen, chair of LARSOA, says: "This highlights the seriousness of not paying attention when driving - such actions can cause unnecessary collisions.

"It also drives home how dangerous it is to use a hand-held mobile phone when driving. Too many drivers still flout the law on this issue. We hope the increased fine, and gaining penalty points, will deter more drivers from arranging their business or social lives when they should be paying attention to the road."

However, LARSOA is disappointed the Act does not include other simple safety measures including; reducing the blood alcohol limit to highlight the seriousness of the offence ; introducing graduated driver licensing for new drivers; increasing the penalties for seat belt offences, in particular for drivers allowing children to travel without being correctly restrained; and introducing single/double summer time.

Click here to read the full LARSOA statement about the new Act.

Click here to read the DfT statement about the Act.