HC Deb 18 March 1985 vol 75 cc619-20
5. Mr. Gregory

asked the Secretary of State for Transport whether he is satisfied with the effectiveness of the present system of penalties for traffic offences.

Mrs. Chalker

On 31 Janauary my right hon. Friend announced the setting up of a review body to consider certain aspects of traffic law, including penalties. We are most concerned to have a system of road traffic law that is both fair and effective.

Mr. Gregory

I thank my hon. Friend for that comment. Will she take account of the widely varying disparities throughout the county, particularly with regard to construction and use? If, unfortunately, the rear light of her vehicle is not functioning as she goes through one county, she may be advised to present a note to the police station when the fault has been rectified, but in another county there is an immediate prosecution. I hope that the review will deal with disparities of that sort.

Mrs. Chalker

I am aware of the anxiety that my hon. Friend has mentioned. It is a matter for the review, under Mr. North. I am sure that the review body will look at that matter and at others where there seems to be inequality between one county and another. Some of the matters are for the Home Office, but it is a joint review between my Department and the Home Office.

Mr. Higgins

Will my hon. Friend give me an assurance that the review will cover the activities of motor cyclists? They seem increasingly to be attempting to commit suicide by driving in and out between moving vehicles. Will she give particular attention to that matter? A considerable number of motor cyclists drive on the outside of moving traffic and go on the wrong side of islands in the middle of the road.

Mrs. Chalker

Those activities are already outside the law. It is a matter of concern and of enforcement of the law. No motorist who ignores the "Highway Code" can be safe on the road. In the review we shall have to look at better ways of ensuring that the "Highway Code" is implemented.

Mr. Roger King

Does my hon. Friend agree that, as with all aspects of the law, sensible traffic law should be readily obeyed by motorists? Does she further agree with the Select Committee report on road safety that a trial speed limit of 80 miles an hour on our motorways would be one step forward along that path?

Mrs. Chalker

I wish that all sensible road laws were obeyed by motorists. Unfortunately, that is not so. I shall be coming to the House with our reaction to the Select Committee's suggestions on road safety. We are concerned to improve road safety, and that is why we are looking carefully at the range of suggestions made by the Select Committee.

Mr. Tony Banks

It is a matter not only of the review of the system of traffic offences, but of policing. Will the hon. Lady be speaking to her right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for the Home Department and asking for an increase in the number of traffic wardens in London so that illegal parking and illegal use of bus lanes can be eliminated? Do we not need more policing of such matters?

Mrs. Chalker

I think that the chairman-elect of the GLC knows already that the use of traffic wardens in the Greater London area is being discussed between his colleagues in the GLC, the London Boroughs Association, the Association of Labour Authorities and my Department, and we shall shortly be having a further meeting. Merely extending the traffic warden system will not necessarily improve the behaviour of motorists who park in a particular area.

Mr. Peter Bruinvels

Will my hon. Friend look at speeding offences, which seem to be on the increase, particularly on motorways, with 80 miles an hour now being the traditional speed? Will she also look at the offence of drunken driving, particularly as a number of garages now have an off-licence facility? Could the penalties for drunken driving be increased?

Mrs. Chalker

My right hon. and learned Friend the Home Secretary updates maximum penalties, and there is a regular review of different penalties for different offences. The fines for drunken driving are £2,000, obligatory disqualification and up to six months in gaol. They are harsh, and if they need to be made harsher, I am sure that the review body will recommend that.