http://www.roadtrafficlawdirect.com Just another WordPress weblog Thu, 23 Apr 2009 16:14:44 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en Lord Ahmed, who was imprisoned for 12 weeks for sending and receiving text messages while driving on the M1 has been released from prison following a successful appeal against his sentence.   His lawyers successfully persuaded the Court of Appeal to suspend his 12 weeks imprisonment for 12 months. He has ... http://www.roadtrafficlawdirect.com/uncategorized/jailed-lord-freed-on-appeal/ In early March 2009, the Road Safety Minister Jim Fitzpatrick announced that the Government is considering cutting the national speed limit on single carriageway rural roads to 50 mph. A consultation will be launched by the Department of Transport in early summer 2009 and the change could come into effect ... http://www.roadtrafficlawdirect.com/uncategorized/government-threatens-to-cut-the-national-speed-limit-to-50-mph/ On 3 March 2009, the Attorney-General referred the case of Phillipa Curtis to the Court of Appeal on the basis that the 21 months imprisonment for causing death by dangerous driving was unduly lenient.   In early February 2009, Curtis was convicted of causing death by dangerous driving by sending text ... http://www.roadtrafficlawdirect.com/uncategorized/text-crash-death-sentence-appealed-by-prosecution/ On 25 February 2009 Lord Ahmed was sentenced to 12 weeks imprisonment and banned from driving for one year for sending and receiving five text messages while driving in the dark on a motorway.   Sadly, shortly after sending and receiving the text messages, Lord Ahmed collided with a car that had ... http://www.roadtrafficlawdirect.com/uncategorized/lord-jailed-for-texting-while-driving/ In December 2008, West Somerset Coroner Michael Rose expressed concerns regarding high speed driving undertaken by the police and the fact that over 200 deaths have occurred since 2002 during high speed police driving.   The Coroner had ruled that Christopher Mollan’s death on the morning of 9th June 2008 was accidental ... http://www.roadtrafficlawdirect.com/uncategorized/coroner-questions-the-police%e2%80%99s-need-for-speed/ From 31 March 2009 a police officer or vehicle examiner (from the Vehicle and Operators Service Agency) can demand that a motorist provides a payment at the roadside where a fine for a motoring offence may be payable in the future.   The police officer or examiner must have reason to ... http://www.roadtrafficlawdirect.com/uncategorized/police-demand-cash-up-front/ Average speed camera – A type of speed camera which measures the speed of a vehicle between two points on a road.   CAMIC – An approved device at police stations for measuring the level of alcohol in a motorist’s breath.   Careless driving – An offence carrying 3 to 9 penalty points ... http://www.roadtrafficlawdirect.com/uncategorized/glossary/ Thames Valley Police announced in February 2009 that over 11,000 offences of using a mobile phone while driving have been recorded in less than 2 years in their area. Thames Valley Police covers Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire.   Any driver caught using a mobile phone while driving will receive either 3 penalty ... http://www.roadtrafficlawdirect.com/uncategorized/the-dangers-of-texting-while-driving/ Companies and managers can now be held directly responsible for their employees’ negligent actions following the coming in to force of the Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act 2007 on 6 April 2008.   In terms of the use of company vehicles, the obligations imposed on employers go much further than those ... http://www.roadtrafficlawdirect.com/uncategorized/businesses-could-face-prosecution-for-unsafe-driving-by-employees/ For many people facing a driving offence allegation, their greatest fear is of the prospect of appearing in court and not knowing what is happening. It is understandable than an ordinary person maybe intimidated by the formal court procedure and etiquette. They are worried they will address the magistrates incorrectly, ... http://www.roadtrafficlawdirect.com/uncategorized/i-have-to-appear-in-court-and-i-am-terrified/