Plans to crack down on speeding and motorists who use mobile phones behind the wheel were unveiled today by the government. The road safety bill, which was announced in the Queen's speech last week, will also force the worst drink-drivers to retake their driving test and introduce new measures to tackle uninsured drivers.
Publishing the bill today, the transport secretary, Alistair Darling, said he was determined to reduce the number of people killed and seriously injured on the roads.
The system of fixed penalties for speeding will be made more flexible, with the penalty points range expanded from between three and six, to two to six, to more fairly reflect the severity of the offence.
The maximum fine for using a handheld mobile telephone while driving will be doubled from £30 to £60, and for the first time will lead to an endorsement on the licence with three penalty points.
The bill will give the police new powers to collect drink-drive evidence at the roadside and enable the courts to force drivers banned for two years or more to retake their driving tests.
The maximum penalty for careless driving will be doubled from £2,500 to £5,000 while the fine for carrying a child in the rear seat without a seatbelt will be raised from £200 to £500 - the same as if they were in the front seat. The police will be given increased powers to use motor insurance data to detect illegal drivers, while provisions in the serious organised crime and police powers bill will enable them to seize and destroy uninsured vehicles.
