Motoring Law News

A loophole allowing drivers to escape punishment for mobile phone use if they are taking a photo or playing a game has now been closed

Brian Koffman has been asked to comment for the Daily Telegraph in relation to a decision of the High Court to quash a DVLA decision

Since the 2 March 2015 it has been an offence to drive a motor vehicle with a concentration of a specified controlled drug above a specified level. The police can only test for three drugs at this stage, Cannabinoids, Benzodiazepines and cocaine.

The Supreme Court has dismissed a motorist’s appeal against a fine imposed by a car park. Barry Beavis objected to a £85 ticket imposed after exceeding a two-hour parking limit by nearly one hour. After the Court of Appeal dismissed his challenge, he took the case to the Supreme Court.

The first smartphones were released within livingmemory for all motorists – in fact the first iPhone celebrates its tenth anniversary in 2017 – and the past decade has not enjoyed the happiest of relationships between mobile phones and driving.

UK Figures from 2016 record 240 deaths, 1260 serious injuries and over 9000 casualties being caused by drink driving incidents.

We’ve recently come across a study conducted by ‘Fixter’ on driver speeding habits in the UK that we feel is definitely worth comment.

The Legal Aid Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 came into force on the 12 March 2015. Motoring offences are the subject of a number of grades of fines depending upon the gravity of the offence in question.

With the introduction of new fines for speeding offences on April 24th 2017, the risks are greater than ever if you are convicted of driving at substantially more than the speed limit for the relevant road.

With the forthcoming changes to legislation regarding using a mobile phone while driving, a controversial loophole will be closed and the risk of prosecution will increase significantly.