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Road Safety Bill [HL]

moved Amendment No. 26:"After Clause 21, insert the following new clause—"    ““POWER OF POLICE TO STOP VEHICLE    In Part 1 of Schedule 2 to the Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988 (c. 53) (prosecution and punishment of offences: offences under the Traffic Acts), in the entry relating to section 163 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 (c. 52) (failing to stop mechanically propelled vehicle or cycle when required to do so), in column (4) (punishment), for ““Level 3 on the standard scale.”” substitute— ““(a)   Level 5 on the standard scale if committed by a person driving a mechanically propelled vehicle. (b)   Level 3 on the standard scale if committed by a person riding a cycle.”” and, in column (2) (general nature of offence), for ““motor”” substitute ““mechanically propelled””.”” The noble Lord said: My Lords, in moving Amendment No. 26 I shall speak to Amendment No. 27 at the same time. Both amendments increase the penalties available for existing offences. Amendment No. 26 raises the penalty for failing to stop for a constable under Section 163 of the Road Traffic Act from a fine of £1,000 to one of £5,000. This was not contained in the consultation on bad driving offences, but was mentioned by a small number of respondents who thought the penalty for failing to stop for a police officer should be increased to recognise the serious risks to other road users of trying to evade the police or escape detection of more serious offences, such as driving under the influence of drink or drugs. The Government have considered this, and agree that amending the penalty would more accurately reflect the offending behaviour. Amendment No. 27 makes minor changes to the offence of ““furious driving”” under the Offences against the Person Act 1961.