The Department for Transport (DfT) have recently revealed the 2-year road safety action plan, which includes 74 points and proposals to increase driver wellbeing, particularly amongst the following:
- Young road users
- Old road users
- Rural road users
- Motorcyclists
It is hoped these new measures will significantly reduce the number of deaths and injuries occurring on the roads – but how will it affect you as a pco car hire driver?
Here are some of the new proposals which are likely to affect your day-to-day work over the next two years!
No Seatbelt = Penalty Points
Not wearing a seatbelt already incurs an on-the-spot fine of £100 – but alongside penalty points, it’s more likely that repeat offenders will lose their license. This, the DfT hopes, will strongly encourage drivers always have their seatbelt on.
This change is very important, considering that over 27% of driving deaths in 2017 involved people not wearing a seatbelt.
Dash Cam and Public Photos used as Evidence
A lack of full-time officers on the roads has unfortunately led to more motorists committing offences, without fear of being caught. It is hoped that the standards of digital recording will now act as a valid addition of evidence, helping to identify offending drivers and the motors they operate.
This is a potential milestone in protecting innocent, law-abiding road users, and initiatives like Operation Snap and the National Dash Cam Portal will no doubt be pleased with the DfT empowering the everyday driver to take action.
New Drivers Banned at Night
As mentioned in a previous article, the DfT are considering restrictions on new drivers – banning them from driving at night, or with passengers under a certain age, are already in discussion.
Some EU countries have already adopted a similar scheme, so it wouldn’t be something new to Europe – and with one in five new drivers being involved in a collision during their first 12 months on the road, it certainly seems like a solution.
Concerns for the freedom and accessibility of young drivers are still in place, however, particularly for those in rural areas where public transport options are limited, alongside the fact that young drivers already feel penalised with higher insurance premiums.
Alcolocks to Prevent Drink Driving
Alcolocks are devices which can essentially stop you from running your car, if you fail a breath-test.
Drink driving is a serious offence which is very high, across the UK. Such a device would significantly reduce accidents involving alcohol – between 8,000 and 9,000 deaths or injuries occur each year in which of the victims was over the speed limit.
Advisory Committees to Tackle Rural Road Dangers
This proposal would give much needed focus on UK’s rural areas, normally overlooked for city and motorways – important when we consider that many serious collisions occur on rural roads.
Such discussions will likely include
- Learner drivers getting more practice on rural roads
- Night-time driving advice and practice
- Road design standards
- Improved speed limits
Overall, these new measures will undoubtedly improve the standard of driving; whilst someone in your profession is already prone to wearing their seatbelt, or not driving under the influence of alcohol, there’s enough people out committing these offences to make it a genuine threat to your safety.
Hopefully, these new policies reduce accidents across the UK a great deal. Keep reading Pace Hire for developments to the UK driving infrastructure as they happen.
