Plans to link penalties to speeding backed

Proposals for penalties linked to the speed clocked up by law breaking drivers in Northern Ireland have been backed by Assembly…

Proposals for penalties linked to the speed clocked up by law breaking drivers in Northern Ireland have been backed by Assembly members.

Increased drug and alcohol awareness programmes and experience of motorway driving for learners were among other measures backed by Stormont's environment committee.

The Department of the Environment is reviewing the road safety strategy and the committee also backed a graduated licensing scheme for new motorists.

SDLP chairman Patsy McGlone said: "Reducing the number of road fatalities and injuries has to be the number one priority.

"The committee strongly encourages measures which make Northern Ireland's roads safer."

Between 2001 and 2005 over 21 per cent of the car drivers who became casualties in road traffic collisions were aged between 17 to 24 and approximately the same percentage of passengers killed belonged to this age group.

More than a quarter of all drivers killed or seriously injured were also aged 17 - 24 years.

Graduated licensing schemes could allow insurers to recognise progressing drivers with lower premiums.

The committee also supported the introduction of a learner driver log and proposals for a graduated fixed penalty and deposit scheme for roadworthiness offences. Drivers would be forced to pay a sum on the spot but could challenge that in court.

It is aimed at drivers from abroad who can disappear without paying any penalty.

The committee also recommended that environment minister Sammy Wilson introduce a practical road safety education programme to make children and young people aware of all road dangers.

PA