Written question asked by Lord Bradshaw (Liberal Democrat), in the House of Lords. It was answered by Baroness Scotland of Asthal (Labour) on Thursday, 23 November 2006.

Vehicles: Weight Restrictions

Question: asked Her Majesty's Government:Further to the Written Answer by Baroness Scotland of Asthal on 2 November (WA 74) (a) when the fixed penalty for ignoring weight restrictions imposed by local traffic regulation order was set at £30; and (b) why, bearing in mind that there is a fixed penalty procedures working group, this amount has not been raised in line with inflation.

Answer: (a) Contravention of a weight restriction imposed by a local traffic regulation order carries the standard fixed penalty for a non-endurable offence. This was increased from £20 to £30 on 1 November 2000. (b) The penalty levels associated with all fixed penalty offences are kept under review by the Home Office-chaired fixed penalty procedures working group. In reviewing the level of fixed penalties, the group takes account of many different factors. Inflation is only one of these. Others include the importance of traffic control and road safety, the overall fixed penalty structure and effect of any changes in government policy, the level of court-imposed fines for the same offences, the impact on low-income groups, and the need to set penalties at levels that offenders will pay without contesting but which will also act as a deterrent. To date, the group has not considered that there is a sufficiently strong case to recommend to Ministers an increase in the fixed penalty level.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 687 c19-20WA; 74
Session: 2006-07
Related items: Vehicles: Weight Restrictions
Monday, 11 December 2006
Written questions
House of Lords; Vehicles: Weight Restrictions
Thursday, 2 November 2006
Written questions
House of Lords
Subjects: Fixed penalties Road traffic offences Weight limits
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk