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From CTC NewsNet
Safer cycling
============= CTC has joined forces with 28 other road safety, community, health and environmental organisations under the banner of the 'Safer Streets Coalition' (SSC), to call for a number of amendments to the Government’s Road Safety Bill. The issue which most concerns SSC member organisations is the proposal to lower the penalty for ‘marginally’ exceeding the speed limit from 3 points to 2 points – even though ‘marginal’ could mean driving at 39mph in a 30mph area.**It is ironic that the first full-blown Road Safety Bill since 1967 could actually increase (rather than reduce) deaths and serious injuries on our roads. CTC is urging members to contact their MPs, urging them to support the Safer Streets Coalition’s proposals. The Bill has its second reading debate on January 11th. Many MPs will be having constituency surgeries in the meantime.**Click here for further information on the Bill (by all means draw on this text when writing to your MP), and a link to the Safer Streets Coalition’s briefing on the Bill.**You can contact your MP (and if need be find out his/her name) via www.faxyourmp.com.**Please let adam dot coffman at ctc dot org dot uk know of any responses. CTC's page on the Bill is he http://www.ctc.org.uk/DesktopDefault.aspx?TabID=3701 The date has been moved forward - probably a sign of decks being cleared for a May election. The Government and DfT in particular are keen for this Bill to go through, so contentious issues will be avoided. If it is made clear that reducing the penalty for speeding in precisely the circumstances where the risk posed to others is greatest /is/ contentious, and amendment may be forthcoming. That's what i think this proposal does - at 30mph half of pedestrians will survive being hit, at 39mph around 95% will die. It seems to me that there is ample justification for increasing penalties for greater margins over the limit, introducing a sense of proportionality, but to give a nod and a wink to those driving a third over the limit in 30 limits is simply foolish. On a personal note, Adam Coffman is a good guy. I think he used to work for Bob Davis and I bear him no malice for getting a job I applied for :-) Guy -- "then came ye chavves, theyre cartes girded wyth candels blue, and theyre beastes wyth straynge horn-lyke thyngs onn theyre arses that theyre fartes be herde from myles around." Chaucer, the Sheppey Tales |
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