You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles
YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.
<strong>Education</strong> Magazine<br />
Safe Journey<br />
Motorists’ lawyer David Barton<br />
explains how the law differs for<br />
new drivers and gives his advice<br />
for staying out of harm’s way<br />
freeimages.com/CYazici<br />
Road traffic law can be complex and the internet is<br />
full of inaccurate information. Most laws apply to<br />
all drivers but there are some that apply just to new<br />
ones. A new driver is someone who is in their “probationary<br />
period” and that is a period that runs exactly two years<br />
from the date you pass your test. Most newly qualified<br />
drivers are young but the law applies whatever your age.<br />
Some road traffic offences result in a straight disqualification<br />
but many lead to penalty points. You need to understand how<br />
this works.<br />
• If you get 6 or more penalty points as a result of offences<br />
committed in your probationary period your licence will be<br />
automatically revoked and you won’t be able to drive. You will<br />
have to apply for a new provisional licence and retake the theory<br />
and practical tests. You should be very careful to note the exact<br />
date you passed your test because even offences committed during<br />
the last few days of the two year period will count against you.<br />
• The penalties for mobile phone/device use have just<br />
increased from 3 to 6 points, so if you even pick it up you<br />
risk having your licence revoked. If you have an accident<br />
because you are distracted by your phone the penalties<br />
are far more severe and include prison. My advice is<br />
don’t do it. The police are really hot on this now.<br />
• Speeding offences carry a minimum of 3 points and so two<br />
modest ones in two years will lead to a licence revocation. Fines<br />
for serious speeding offences have just been increased and the<br />
courts are treating them much more harshly. You can also be<br />
disqualified for speeding even if it’s your first offence. This<br />
will also result in a big increase in your insurance premium.<br />
• Check you are properly insured for the type of driving you<br />
do and extend it for work if you need to. It’s your responsibility<br />
to check you have proper insurance. Many new drivers use<br />
cars that are in a family pool policy, where someone else<br />
makes the arrangements. If that person makes a mistake and<br />
the car is not insured, you will be responsible. If you are not<br />
insured properly your car will be impounded by the police<br />
and driving without insurance carries 6 penalty points. That<br />
will lead to licence revocation. So just check it’s all in order.<br />
• Don’t try and guess how much alcohol you can drink and<br />
stay under the legal limit. It varies from person to person<br />
and guessing is risky. It’s not difficult to be just over the<br />
limit, even if you feel ok. Again, the best advice is don’t do<br />
it. You will be banned for at least 12 months with a criminal<br />
record that could be a problem with job applications and<br />
travel abroad. The cost of insurance will shoot up and you<br />
may not be able to afford to drive again for a long time.<br />
David Barton can be contacted on 01580 292409 or<br />
07876 711708 and see his website motorists-lawyer.co.uk<br />
wealdentimes.co.uk<br />
70
Change language