One Million UK Drivers on Brink of Losing Licence
• Up to 4,000 new speed cameras to be deployed
• GPS warning systems backed by transport minister
New Figures Released...
by one of the UK's leading insurers have shown that almost 1-million drivers on their database could be just one offence away from facing a driving ban under the new proposed Road Safety Bill. Shockingly, the report also highlights a further 4.7 million drivers who have current endorsements on their licences.
These results were highlighted in a survey produced by YouGov for Direct Line Insurance, provoking a debate on the BBC News Night programme on the 9 th March. Newsnight openly debated the potential impact of these changes in the new Road Safety Bill with Transport Minister Dr Stephen Ladyman and other industry figures.
The new bill includes changes to the current point's structure and the government's policy on enforcement camera's visibility and location, putting even more pressure on the UK motorists identified in the report.
The proposed changes highlight that cameras will no longer have to be located only at accident black spots, but also in areas which could be a potential accident zone through speed being a factor. This moves the government from reactive use of speed cameras, to a more proactive focus, preventing accidents from happening.
New and existing cameras will not have to be brightly marked as before. These factors do increase the chances of driver prosecutions and will surely bring concern to the many drivers who rely on their licence for their job and livelihood.
Most drivers do not set out to speed and break the law; they are often caught out following the speed of traffic or just getting distracted or confused. So how do drivers avoid falling foul of the new regulations, increased insurance premiums due to endorsements and further putting their licence at risk?
Well, the Road Safety Bill and Government policy clearly support and acknowledge the benefits of GPS based driver safety systems. During a recent parliamentary session and re-enforced on the NewsNight programme, Dr Ladyman when asked
about these devices replied: "Such devices will continue to be perfectly legal; in fact I have one myself." In that same parliamentary session, Ladyman's views were supported further by conservative Shadow Transport Minister Owen Patterson who also stated his approval of GPS based safety products and also acknowledged owning such a device.
Stephen Ladyman's comments have been welcomed by the UK's leading manufacturer of GPS based driver warning systems Blackspot Interactive maker of Road Angel. Chief Executive Steven Salmon explained: "We are very pleased that Dr Ladyman has endorsed the recognition contained within the planned road safety bill that GPS safety products like Road Angel work hand in glove with the stated intention of enforcement cameras; to alert drivers of their speed in locations where accidents are most likely to occur. Our stance has always been one of promoting safer driving and helping drivers stay within the law through being alert and aware of local road regulations and conditions. Indeed, an independent 1-million mile fleet test has proved that business drivers using Road Angel have 50% fewer accidents and are 74% less likely to receive further endorsements." He added, "I believe that Road Angel is a major benefit to motorists and will enable them to stay on the right side of the new regulations. We want to help the government reduce road deaths and motorists to stay on the road."
Road Angel GPS accident blackspot and safety camera warning systems alert drivers to accident blackspots, primary school zones, safety camera locations and other hazardous stretches of road, providing drivers with daily updated information. This information is collected from the Police, Local Authorities, the DFT and existing Road Angel customers and is all managed by Blackspot Interactives' in house data support team.
