MICROMOBILITY ROAD JUSTICE
The All-Party Parliamentary Group for Cycling and Walking has launched a new report addressing the issue of road justice. Daniel Blackham speaks to co-chair of the group, Fabian Hamilton MP, on why now is the right time to revisit the subject
Fabian Hamilton PHOTO: RICHARD TOWNSHEND
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n 2017 the All-Party Parliamentary Cycling Group conducted a significant inquiry looking at cycling and the justice system.
With walking and wheeling now included as part of the
All-Party Parliamentary Group for Cycling and Walking (APPGCW), and active travel more important than ever on the policy agenda, they felt it prudent to revisit that inquiry and provide an updated report.
“Whilst there had been some progress since that inquiry
in 2017, this is a critical time for active travel,” explained Fabian Hamilton MP, o-chair of the APPGCW. “The past couple of years has seen the introduction of Gear Change, and the creation of Active Travel England. However, in order to see the significant increase needed in walking and cycling in order to meet the Government’s targets, action is needed across a range of policy areas. “One of those is that of safety, and perception of safety. Ensuring that people feel as though those who would commit acts of road violence are deterred from doing so, or sufficiently punished when they do, is a key step that we need to take.” The updated report, which was released in September last year, offers 10 key recommendations and a summary of progress on those from the previous inquiry. It will also form the basis of the campaigning on this important issue in Parliament. One of the key recommendations within the report is
that exceptional hardship should be overhauled to be truly reflective of circumstances. Almost a quarter of those who amass 12 penalty points successfully argue against disqualification on grounds of exceptional hardship. This is despite revised guidance, and indicates a clear problem with either the current definition, or its application.
The resulting consequence is that many drivers who could be serving a ban are still out on the roads, with increased risk to all other road users. There is also a call for compulsory re-testing for anyone
www.bikebiz.com APPGCW Report
wishing to drive following any period of disqualification. While re-testing is an established intervention in traffic
law (compulsory for those convicted of dangerous driving and graver offences), the latest sentencing guidelines do not include it for causing serious injury by careless or inconsiderate driving or attempting to drive with a specified drug above the specified limit. Other recommendations within the report include, removal of tolerances in speed enforcement, escalating
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