HC Deb 28 April 2003 vol 404 cc204-5W
Huw Irranca-Davies

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what review he has undertaken of the powers to enforce fixed penalty notices since 1 August 1999 for contravention of section 72 of the Highways Act 1972 by off-road motorcycles; and what lessons have been learnt from the four years of the scheme. [108611]

Hilary Benn

Driving on the pavement contrary to Section 72 of the highways Act 1835 as amended became a fixed penalty offence on 1 August 1999. The offence applies to all driving on the pavement including by off-road motorcycles and no special review of the use of the measure has been undertaken.

Driving on the pavement is recognised as a problem in some areas and one that presents a hazard to pedestrians. The fixed penalty provides an additional means of dealing with it. With effect from January 2003 the police may also use powers under the Police Reform Act to seize off-road motorcycles driven illegally on the footway in a manner that causes alarm, distress or annoyance.

Huw Irranca-Davies

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many successful prosecutions have been brought against owners of off-road motorcycles under the amendment to section 34 of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000; [108675]

(2) how many owners of off-road motorcycles have been prosecuted successfully for failing to comply with the Vehicle Excise and Registration Act 1994 when riding such motorcycles on the highway; [108605]

(3) how many successful prosecutions there have been against owners of off-road motorcycles using their vehicles on the highway in contravention of the Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986; [108606]

(4) how many successful prosecutions have been brought against the owners of off-road motorcycles using their vehicles on the highway in contravention of Road Vehicle Lighting Regulations 1989; [108607]

(5) how many successful prosecutions were brought against the owners of off-road motorcycles using their vehicles (a) on pavements or other pedestrian routes and (b) cycle paths under section 72 of the Highway Act 1835, in the 10 years prior to the implementation of fixed penalty notices on 1 August 1999; [108608]

(6) how many successful prosecutions have been brought against the owners of off-road motorcycles using their vehicles in contravention of the Road Traffic Act 1991. [108609]

Hilary Benn

Information is not collected on the Home Office Court Proceedings database on the type of vehicle (i.e. motorcycle or car) involved in an offence unless specific to the legislation.

In addition information collected centrally does not identify these offences separately from other summary motoring offences.