City Drivers Escape Speeding Fines

The Sunday Telegraph has revealed that up to two thirds of motorists escape penalty points for speeding in some areas of the UK.

It has been known for some time that drivers who use illegal 'cloned' number plates, are untraceable if caught by speed cameras. However, an analysis of the recently published reports of all 38 safety camera partnerships across England and Wales, has revealed that, in many cases, foreign-registered vehicles are often untraceable.

The Sunday Telegraph's report has also generated much concern from motoring organisations, as it has revealed a wide range of results, concerning punishment to drivers for speeding. While rural areas tend to have a high intolerance for speeding, urban areas' enforcement appears to be lax.

In rural Cumbria, 84% of motorists caught speeding are issued with penalty points while, in some areas of London, as few as 35% receive points. Critics have warned that this wide range of results may undermine the public's faith in speed cameras. A spokesman for IAM said:

"If the speeding offence is committed, then the follow-through prosecution arrangements should be consistent, no matter where you are."

Although urban areas are likely to have a higher number of illegal, foreign and speeding drivers, it has been revealed that there is more movement in the cities, resulting in drivers' details not being given to the DVLA.

As well as this, traffic is less of a priority in urban areas, where organised crime, terrorism amd drugs are the main focus.

It has also been revealed that first time offenders in urban areas are often given the option of paying to attend a 'Speed Awareness' course, rather than receive penalty points. This is another reason for the lower prosecution figures in cities of the UK.

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