An MP on the ball

• An MP on the ball
  Posted by NewJudge on 21 Apr, 2024 16:13
• Drivers should be spared penalty points if they edge over the speed limit in a 20mph zone, according to former Education Secretary Kit Malthouse.
  
  The senior Conservative MP is trying to change the law to help drivers who feel "almost persecuted" by the "explosion" in traffic cameras. Under Mr Malthouse's plans, anyone caught speeding between 20mph and 30mph would not get penalty points but would have to attend a speed awareness course.
  
  https://www.msn.com/en-gb/cars/news/new-law-proposed-for-drivers-caught-breaking-uk-20mph-speed-limits/ar-AA1nmrla?ocid=msedgntp&pc=ASTS&cvid=777d3d5154694925ecccb5374e4161a9&ei=11
  
  I wonder if anybody has told Mr Malthouse that courses are already offered up to 31mph and that enforcement is not normally taken below 24mph?
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• #1 Reply
  Posted by Southpaw82 on 21 Apr, 2024 16:43
• Would that place courses on a statutory footing?
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• #2 Reply
  Posted by cp8759 on 21 Apr, 2024 17:13
• Quote from: Southpaw82 on 21 Apr, 2024 16:43

  Would that place courses on a statutory footing?
  

  I don't have time to look it up now but I was sure that had already been done?
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• #3 Reply
  Posted by Southpaw82 on 21 Apr, 2024 17:22
• Quote from: cp8759 on 21 Apr, 2024 17:13

  Quote from: Southpaw82 on 21 Apr, 2024 16:43

  Would that place courses on a statutory footing?
  

  I don't have time to look it up now but I was sure that had already been done?
  

  
  I think it was in the Road Safety Act but I’m not sure if it was ever brought into force.
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• #4 Reply
  Posted by slapdash on 21 Apr, 2024 20:26
• Quote from: Scientist and Saint on 21 Apr, 2024 19:28

  As for tackling unattended roadworks - there's a simple solution which requires no new legislation (which isn't going to happen).  You just make the company doing the work rent the stretch of road from Highways England.  When HE announce the contract they specify that closed roads/lanes attract a rent of £X per day.
  

  
  There were overrun penalties since about 2010 for many forms of street works.
  
  I recall reading something earlier this year about increasing them significantly.
  
  I suspect they might be a bit counter productive in that time estimates increase contingency.
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• #5 Reply
  Posted by The Rookie on 22 Apr, 2024 12:20
• Quote from: cp8759 on 21 Apr, 2024 17:13

  Quote from: Southpaw82 on 21 Apr, 2024 16:43

  Would that place courses on a statutory footing?
  

  I don't have time to look it up now but I was sure that had already been done?
  

  My understanding of the change I read was it gave them just enough legal basis that there was no longer an argument they were contrary to the fraud act, but gave them no legal status such as akin to a fixed penalty.
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• #6 Reply
  Posted by 666 on 22 Apr, 2024 12:48
• Quote from: slapdash on 21 Apr, 2024 20:26

  Quote from: Scientist and Saint on 21 Apr, 2024 19:28

  As for tackling unattended roadworks - there's a simple solution which requires no new legislation (which isn't going to happen).  You just make the company doing the work rent the stretch of road from Highways England.  When HE announce the contract they specify that closed roads/lanes attract a rent of £X per day.
  

  
  There were overrun penalties since about 2010 for many forms of street works.
  
  I recall reading something earlier this year about increasing them significantly.
  
  I suspect they might be a bit counter productive in that time estimates increase contingency.
  

  
  Attending the works 24/7 will inevitably push up the costs for the highway authority.
  
  So either (1) central government gives the local council more money, thus pushing up taxes, or (2) the council cuts back its road repair programme.
  
  My money is on (2).
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