Do you have any of the dreaded (by some, I hasten to add) 20 miles per hour areas in your locality?
Guidance from the Association of Chief Police Officers clarifying the police position on enforcement of 20mph speed limits has been published and reveals plans for tailored speed awareness courses for drivers who break 20mph limits. The guidance states:
- There should be routine enforcement in all clearly posted 20mph limits, including targeted enforcement where there is a pattern of deliberate offending
- Drivers caught at up to 34mph in a 20mph limit face a £100 fine and three points, or if speeding at 35mph or more would be reported to the courts
- Drivers who speed at 24-31mph in 20mph limits will be offered a specially designed speed awareness course (in lieu of penalty points), aimed at educating them on 20mph limits
Julie Townsend, deputy chief executive, Brake, the road safety charity, said: “This guidance is timely and important. As more and more local authorities introduce widespread 20mph limits, it is critical to get the message across to the driving public that breaking these limits is an offence and will be prosecuted. We welcome tailored 20mph speed awareness courses, which will deliver education to drivers who risk the safety of vulnerable road users by ignoring 20mph limits. This guidance supports work by community campaigners, local authorities and government to increase the use of 20mph limits in built-up areas, to protect people on foot and bike, make our communities safer, more pleasant places, and encourage greater levels of walking and cycling.”
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