LANCASHIRE CONSTABULARY REVEAL SPEEDING CAUTION POLICY
FOLLOWING a review, Lancashire Constabulary has revealed details of its new
speed enforcement policy. The new policy allows for the introduction of a
Caution, and an enhancement of the Speed Awareness Option. These can only be
offered following detection by a Fixed Safety Camera Site or Mobile Site,
operated by the new Speed Enforcement Technicians. Outside this, all other
speed detection should meet the following agreed levels of enforcement from
Thursday 3rd June 2004.
In a 30mph limit - 38mph and above
In a 40mph limit - 50mph and above
In a 50mph limit - 61mph and above
In a 60mph limit - 70mph and above
In a 70mph limit - 82mph and above
The review, which was commissioned by the Chief Constable Paul Stephenson,
examined all aspects of speed related issues, including the work of the
Lancashire Road Safety Partnership. This has resulted in the introduction of
a cautioning policy as well as enhancing the speed awareness option. Mr
Stephenson told the Police Authority that he had decided on the review after
listening to a variety of views from the motoring public and members of
local communities. He explained: "It is quite obvious that people are
anxious we continue to target speeding motorists who are a danger to road
safety, but at the same time we recognised a need to look again at the way
we dealt with lower level offenders."
From today drivers caught speeding in a 30 mph area will be cautioned at 35
mph, offered a speed awareness course at 36 and 37, and given a fixed
penalty at 38. Similarly in a 40 mph area drivers will be cautioned at 46
and 47 and offered speed awareness at 48 and 49. Above that will result in a
fixed penalty. In a 50 mph area drivers will be cautioned at 57 and 58,
offered speed awareness at 59 and 60 and a fixed penalty at 61. The
Constabulary will continue its intelligence led approach to ensure that
camera sites with a higher number of casualties are prioritised.
Drivers will be eligible for up to one caution in a three-year period for
their first offence of speeding. Following the receipt of a caution they
will move to the offer of a speed awareness course if it falls within the
guidelines. It is to be emphasised that this is not a green light to drive
more quickly in Lancashire. It is about dealing with people in a flexible
and proportionate manner. Lancashire Constabulary will not reconsider any
penalties previously imposed in relation to driving licence endorsements but
will allow all motorists in the county to undertake all options under the
new proposal. The Constabulary's newly appointed mobile enforcement
technicians will be used on roads where analysis shows there are significant
casualties.
Superintendent Clive Tattum, who headed the review, said: "It is important
to remember that the safety cameras are working here in Lancashire. We are
now well on target to achieve casualty reduction levels set for 2010 by next
year which will be a remarkable achievement. These reductions would not have
been possible without the cameras and the impact they have made on driver
behaviour. The cameras reinforce our message that speeding remains
unacceptable here in the county. "But at the same time we do recognise that
speed enforcement, particularly at the lower end of the speeding scale, does
have an impact on motorists many of whom might have driven for years without
penalty. That is why we decided to introduce a cautioning policy and enhance
the speed awareness training. "The vast majority of motorists in Lancashire
drive in a safe and responsible manner. This has assisted us in reducing
average driving speeds and road casualties. The new policy will be closely
analysed over the initial three months period and if this responsible
approach continues we will consider further expansion of the cautioning
scheme and of our speed awareness course."
Dr Stephen Morton, Consultant in Public Health and Director of Public Health
Hyndburn and Ribble Valley Primary Care Trust, said: "The use of safety
cameras is a proven measure to improve road safety. They can reduce accident
risks at sites with a bad accident record and can contribute to overall
speed awareness across the county of Lancashire. "However, it is
important to maintain public understanding of, and confidence in, the way in
which safety cameras are used. That is why it is timely to review the
operational policy and refine their use, based on the most recent data on
accidents and traffic speeds. I strongly support this review and the
commitment to jointly monitor and refine the policy over subsequent years."
Terry Carter, Section Manager for Traffic and Safety for Lancashire County
Council, said: Lancashire Constabulary and Lancashire County Council work
closely together within the Road Safety Partnership and share the aim of
meeting the Government's targets for road safety reduction. Significant
progress has already been made with the co-operation of road users and the
time was right for a review of the speed enforcement policy. "The County
Council has worked closely with the police in the review and entirely
support the new arrangements, which are being introduced. We all anticipate
that this will maintain the co-operation and commitment of all road users to
casualty reduction."
John Davies, Project Manager for the Lancashire Road Safety Partnership,
added: "The partnership has worked closely with the police throughout the
review process and fully support the new speed enforcement policy which is
being introduced. The partnership's aim is to reduce road casualties and the
new arrangements, whilst maintaining this focus, will be more educational in
their approach. This can only be beneficial in improving safety on our
roads."
