Endorsement as a Deterrent
| Published date | 01 October 1955 |
| Date | 01 October 1955 |
| DOI | http://doi.org/10.1177/002201835501900409 |
| Subject Matter | Article |
Endorsement as a Deterrent
INthe Road Traffic Bill now before Parliament the Govern-
ment
has sought to deal with the bad driver mainly by
increasing
the
severity of the maximum penalties to which he
is liable.
The
maximum fine for speeding is increased from twenty
to thirty
pounds;
for dangerous driving from £50 to £100;
for careless driving from £20 to £40,
and
on a subsequent
conviction from £50 to
£80;
for driving or in charge
under
the
influence of drink from £50 to £100.
There
are also
heavier penalties by way of imprisonment and disqualification.
In
the
main, however, magistrates throughout the country are,
in effect, being invited to reconsider the fines they impose,
presumably with the object of increasing
them
substantially,
if,
and
when, the Bill becomes law.
It
remains to be seen
whether, in fact, fines will rise after that date; in the opinion
of experienced observers there will be no substantial increase
in the fines imposed.
If
that
turns
out to be the case
the
Government's effort to strengthen the powers that can be
used against offending motorists will have largely failed.
If
it does fail for this reason it will be principally because
the
problem has been approached from the wrong angle.
Financial penalties have never provided real deterrents.
Courts freely give offenders time to pay fines and although
payment often means immediate discomfort, it means little
more.
There
is, however, a means by which aconviction of a
motoring offence can be brought home in a way which will
ensure
that
the
average person having once been convicted,
will do his utmost to avoid further conviction because of
the
consequences
that
may ensue.
That
means requires intelligent
use of a modified power to order endorsement of a driving
licence.
Endorsement of particulars ofaconviction was made
compulsory by
the
Road Traffic Act, 1903, which required
courts to order such endorsement where aperson was con-
victed of any offence
under
the
Act, or of any offence in
356
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