Changes to Driving & Road Safety Laws in 2015

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Letter to Branches





No. 573/15
Ref: V5/15
Date: 3 September 2015


To: All Branches


Dear Colleagues

Changes to Driving & Road Safety Laws in 2015 - Are You Aware of Them?

This year has seen some of the biggest changes in motoring procedures we have ever seen. Changes to driving laws and other-related procedural changes have also come into force this year, with the Government and their agencies taking advantage of the internet to increase convenience and save time on administration.

It is very important drivers are fully up-to-date on what is happening - they will affect everyone in one way or another. So it's important that our driving members don't get caught out, get informed.

New regulations this year have already changed driving licences, drug-drive limits, speed limits and much more - make sure your members are aware and are not caught out as many may be totally unaware.

New regulations that have changed driving licences, drug-drive limits and speed limits have already taken place in 2015. There are, however, other changes expected to take place later in the year.

Royal Mail and BT operate two of the largest fleets in the UK and Europe, driven of course by CWU members. For drivers oblivious to these changes, the CWU Health, Safety & Environment Department wishes to raise awareness to ensure driving members understand the new driving laws and changes and as such stay safe and legal on the road.

Drug Driving Law
In March, a new law on driving under the influence of legal or illegal drugs including cannabis and cocaine and prescription drugs including diazepam, methadone and morphine came into force across England and Wales. Motorists convicted of drug-driving will get a minimum one-year driving ban, unlimited fine, up to six months imprisonment and a criminal record. Alongside the new law, new road-side drug testing equipment or 'drugalysers' came into use by the Police. (See LTB for further more detailed information).

'Make a Plea' Service
In March the Government's launched the 'Make a Plea' service which now enables drivers and motorists charged with minor motoring offences including speeding, careless driving or using a vehicle without insurance to respond to the charges made against them digitally. Drivers are able to plead guilty or innocent via a secure online service 24 hours a day instead of by post or turning up at court. Defendants can still opt for a postal plea or court attendance. With 500,000 minor motoring offences a year to deal with the Government hopes more people will make use of the ‘Make a Plea’ service to alleviate the burden on the criminal justice system, reduce paperwork and reduce case time and costs for the courts and the Police, ensuring that they can focus on the most complex cases. During a trial in Manchester, a third of applicable defendants chose to plead to their charges via the 'Make a Plea' secure online service. The RAC, AA and other motoring organisations back the new service.

Speed Limits
In April, the speed limit for the largest heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) travelling on a single carriageway across England and Wales increased from 40mph to 50mph, and on a dual carriageway it has increased from 50mph to 60mph.

Driving Licences
In June, the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) driver’s licence paper counterpart to the photocard driving licence was abolished and replaced by an online DVLA service. The objective of the change is to save millions of pounds and change the way drivers share their information with employers and car hire companies.
The DVLA had to replace half a million paper lost or destroyed counterparts a year with drivers charged £20 each to cover the cost. Drivers still need to keep their actual driving licence, whether it is a plastic photocard licence or an old style paper licence which was issued before 1998. All driver information such as endorsements and which category of vehicles individuals are entitled to drive is now stored electronically.
Motorists can access the information remotely and can provide proof of their driving records to a third party (employers, car hire companies) by obtaining a special code to allow sharing of data.

Notes:
There are 46.4 million licence holders in Great Britain.
37.7 million licence holders have a photocard driving licence.
8.7 million licence holders have an old style paper licence that was issued before 1998 - these licences remain valid.
Drivers can view their driving licence information online and generate a check code to share details with third parties at www.gov.uk/view-driving-licence.
Third parties can redeem the check code at www.gov.uk/check-driving-licence.
The changes apply to GB driving licences only. Driver licensing is a devolved issue in Northern Ireland.

London Safer Lorry Scheme
On September 1st a new 'London Safer Lorry Scheme' was introduced in London by the Mayor of London in collaboration with London Councils, Heathrow Airport and Transport for London (TfL). This new scheme uses a combination of powers held by these bodies to enforce the new bye-laws on all roads in London. It will be enforced by the Metropolitan Police, City of London Police and the Driver Vehicle Standards Agency and will aim to tackle the number of fatal collisions involving cyclists and pedestrians. The Safer Lorry Scheme ensures all lorries and construction vehicles over 3.5 tonnes are fitted with basic safety equipment and only those lorries with the safety equipment fitted will be allowed on London's roads. Under London's scheme, most vehicles that are currently exempt from national legislation for basic safety equipment will have to be retrofitted. This includes construction vehicles, which are involved in a disproportionate number of fatal collisions involving cyclists and pedestrians.

Under the scheme, vehicles over 3.5 tonnes that are currently exempt will be required to:
Be fitted with Class V and Class VI mirrors giving the driver a better view of cyclists and pedestrians around their vehicles
Be fitted with side guards to protect cyclists from being dragged under the wheels in the event of a collision

Other summary details of the scheme:

The scheme will operate across London, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, covering the same area as the Low Emission Zone.
The scheme will be enforced by the Metropolitan Police Service, City of London Police and the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency.
Drivers found to be in charge of a non-compliant vehicle may be issued with a £50 Fixed Penalty Notice.
The offence also carries a potential fine of £1000 at Magistrate's court.
The Traffic Commissioner, who has the power to modify or suspend operator licences, will also be notified of companies operating vehicles in breach of the scheme.

New 'Smokefree Car Law
On October 1st new legislation will come into force nationally which will make it illegal for anyone to smoke in a vehicle while carrying children and any passengers under the age of 18. Drivers could receive an on the spot £50 fixed penalty notice, if they fail to observe the new law that is being introduced to help protect children and young people from the dangers of second-hand smoke. Drivers who smoke and who fail to stop a passenger from smoking in the presence of passengers under 18 risk being fined twice. The new legislation is aimed at protecting children and young people from the harmful effects of tobacco through the dangers of second-hand smoke. The Government states that more than 80 percent of cigarette smoke is invisible and opening car windows does not remove its harmful effect. Every time children breathe in second-hand smoke, they breathe in thousands of toxic chemicals, which put them at risk of serious conditions including meningitis, cancer and respiratory infections such as bronchitis and pneumonia. (Note: Smoking in multi-user Company Vehicles was banned in 2007). 

Yours sincerely
 


Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer