Motoring groups are predicting a record number of cars on the roads this Bank Holiday as recession-hit families fight for space on routes to UK destinations.
It is believed that there will be a change in the usual patterns for holiday traffic, as families opt for home-grown holiday destinations instead of airports and ferry terminals. Routes to popular resorts, and major arteries such as the M1, M5, M6 and M25, are likely to see particularly heavy traffic on Friday 28th August and Saturday 29th August as families opt for short breaks in the UK rather than going abroad. The Met Office also predicts that the weekend will be largely sunny and dry across the UK making a trip to the coast even more attractive.
With an increase in the number of motorists on the road there is also a danger that people are more likely to be caught out by the Traffic Police if they are not abiding by the rules of the road. The number of fixed penalty notices for the use of mobile phones whilst driving continues to increase year on year with males being the largest group of offenders. If you are stuck in traffic jam there is a temptation to call people on the phone warns Ruth Edwards, motoring criminal specialist at leading Worcestershire law firm, Thursfields. This offence will result in the endorsement of three penalty points on your driving licence and it is therefore not only the fine that should be of concern to drivers. If the weather is hot, there is also the temptation to stop off for a drink so motorists need to be aware of how many units they are drinking so not to be caught driving under the influence of alcohol. It is better not to consume any alcohol until the completion of your journey as the alcohol limits cannot be predicted. “What may be OK for one driver will not be OK for another”.
Police can ‘breathalyse’ you (ask you for a breath test) if they suspect you’ve been drinking if, for example, your driving seems erratic. You’ll be asked to give two valid samples of breath, and if you are over the limit you will then be arrested and taken to a police station where a further procedure will be carried out. If the lower reading if over the limit then you will be charged and prosecuted. Any succesful prosecution for driving with excess alcohol will result in a mandatory ban from driving for a minimum period of twelve months.
If you fail the roadside breath test and are arrested and taken to a police station this may mean that others you are travelling with, your family on a trip to the seaside for example, will have to wait until you are released to carry on with their journey. Usually the police perform another breath test before your are released to make sure that you are now under the limit and therefore able to drive.” Failing to provide a breath specimen is also an offence.
Ruth also warns that motorists need to check the state of their vehicles before setting off on a journey. She states,
“The police can issue a fixed penalty notice for minor offences like not wearing a seatbelt of driving with a defective or broken headlight. Non-endorsable offences - meaning those which don’t result in points on your licence - usually incur a fine of £30.
“Fines for endorsable offences like speeding are usually £60, although there may be some exceptions. More serious offences such as driving without insurance can incur fines of up to a maximum of £5,000, although the average fine is closer to £300. There will also be the endorsement of penalty points in relation to most motoring offences. The number of points to be endorsed is fixed by law. If you feel a penalty notice is unjust, you can choose not to pay the fine and argue your case in court.
Recipients have 28 days to pay the fixed penalty or request a hearing. You’ll be reported for prosecution if you fail to pay a fixed penalty for an offence detected by an automatic camera within 28 days.
“If your vehicle is defective, for example, one of its indicators is broken; you may be issued with a vehicle defect rectification notice. This means you have to fix the fault and provide proof, such as a receipt from a mechanic saying the fault has been fixed, at a police station.
“If you get 12 points on your licence within a three year period as a result of endorsable offences, the driver will be banned from driving for at least six months, although it is possible to argue against this in certain circumstances.
“The police have the power to seize a vehicle if it’s being used in an anti-social manner (causing alarm, harassment or distress). This includes inconsiderate driving and unauthorized off-road driving of cars, motorbikes etc. Police can also seize vehicles if drivers don’t have an appropriate licence or insurance.
“Serious road traffic offences, such as dangerous driving, can result in imprisonment.” Ruth concludes,“Make sure you stay safe this Bank Holiday, drive carefully and don’t fall foul of the Traffic Police.”
For further information, please contact Ruth Edwards at Thursfields on Tel: 01905 730450 or e-mail: Redwards@thursfields.co.uk.
www.thursfields.com