Bigger Fines for Drivers?

20 September 2012, 06:19

The mum of a teenage girl killed in a car crash in Norfolk is supporting calls for bigger fines to be given to speeding drivers.

A new survey claims that the vast majority of drivers want to see much higher fines and tougher enforcement.

A survey by the charity Brake and Direct Line, out today, revealed nearly eight in ten drivers (78%) are in favour of fines of £200 or more for traffic offences such as speeding, using a mobile phone, or careless driving: more than double the potential increase to £90 set out in recent government proposals. Half of those surveyed (47%) think fines should be £500 or more.

Liz Voysey from Dereham lost her daughter Amy in a car crash and thinks it could make a difference.

Hear From Road Campaigner Liz Voysey

Ellen Booth, Brake senior campaigns officer, said: “The government must listen to the public, who recognise that far tougher penalties are needed to stop risky, selfish behaviour at the wheel and that we need to take dangerous repeat offenders off the roads. The government has proposed increasing fixed penalty fines for driving offences to a paltry £90: we say this is nowhere near enough, and drivers agree. We need far higher fines in line with the fact these offences pose a threat to human life, and all too often lead to tragedy. We also need to ensure our penalty points system is working, and drivers who repeatedly flout the law aren’t being allowed to keep their licence. We need a simple, clear message from government: drivers who risk lives won’t be tolerated and should expect to pay a high price.”