MICROMOBILITY
GEORG EIERMANN VIA UNSPLASH
penalties for repeated offences and increased maximum sentence for dangerous driving and fuller use of Police bail powers. In January, MPs heard a number of harrowing stories of road violence during a Westminster Hall Debate. Secured by Selaine Saxby MP for North Devon and co- chair APPGCW, the debate was attended by 15 MPs, and chaired by Caroline Nokes MP. “You need only have listened to the appalling incidents
that Members of Parliament (MPs) raised during the Westminster Hall debate to know how much of an impact road crashes can have,” explained Hamilton. “Not only on those directly affected but by wider communities. With five people killed or seriously injured every day on our roads, it’s clear that more needs to be done.”
Bill Esterson MP (Sefton Central) responded to the
debate as the Shadow Minister, before Minister Guy Opperman MP (Hexham) summed up on behalf of the Government. On the issue of compulsory re-testing, the Minister confirmed the last update to guidance on this was 2015 and this is something that is being looked at. With regard to increasing the sentence for dangerous driving, he noted that there is a case for reviewing sentencing and updating guidance accordingly. On exceptional hardship, the Minister reminded that losing your licence in itself is not a hardship and that it must be truly exceptional. Many members referred to the fact that driving is a privilege and not a right during the debate. On the consistency in the investigation of road traffic collisions, the Minister said there are efforts from Chief Constables to change this and that he’d encourage the Home Office to take this forward. The Minister, Guy Opperman MP, told the house in summation: “This is a work in progress, I totally accept
38 | March 2024
this. This is a work in progress on a cross-departmental basis, I can assure the Honourable Lady (Selaine Saxby MP) and this house that we will be meeting as the three key departments to try and drive forward an integrated policy on all these matters. It is not for one department to fix this, it is on a cross-departmental basis.”
Working on a better future According to Hamilton, adopting the recommendations outlined in the report would be significant. “The long-term benefit could be twofold,” he said. “Firstly, we could make an immediate positive impact on the safety of our roads. Recommendations such as escalating penalties for repeat offences and the lifetime driving ban for those who kill, would make such a difference in removing dangerous drivers and reducing the risk of serious incidents. “Secondly, that perceived level of safety would hopefully encourage more people to take up walking and cycling, knowing that the issues around dangerous driving were being taken seriously and addressed.” With the Government’s ambitions to see half of all journeys in towns and cities walked or cycled by 2030 - there is much to be done to see that become reality. The APPGCW will be there hold their feet to the fire. “The group has assurances from the the Department of
Transport and Ministry of Justice to look at this further in a meeting,” said Hamilton. “There will also be further letters, written Parliamentary questions, and questions in both Transport and Justice questions in the House of Commons. We will also be working with external stakeholders such as Leigh Day and RoadPeace to continue keeping this on the political agenda. “We need to keep the pressure on.” To read the APPGCW report in full, visit
bikebiz.com and search: APPGCW.
www.bikebiz.com
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