Driving and Traffic Law – UK Driving Legislation

Alcohol

There are severe penalties, including imprisonment, for driving with a Blood / Alcohol level exceeding 80 mg per 100 ml

Seat Belts

Seat belts must be worn at all times in both the front and back seats.

It is a legal requirement to wear seat belts, both in the front and rear seats.

Every individual is responsible for wearing his or her seat belt and can be prosecuted for breaking the law.

Child Safety

Children under 12 must not sit in front seats – except for infants or young children in baby or “booster” seats.

Speeding . . .

Don’t.  Speed limits are rigorously enforced, providing as they do a main source of income for UK police forces, and a range of different speed cameras are also in use. Speeds are shown in miles per hour. 1 Mile = 1.61 kilometres and speedometers show both readings. General speed rules (unless otherwise posted)

2	In towns – 30 mph (48 kph)
2	Major roads bypassing towns – 40 mph (64 kph)
2	Most “B” roads – 50 mph (80 kph)
2	Most “A” roads – 60 mph (96 kph)
2	Motorways – 70 mph (112 kph)

 

If you’ve been stopped and your licence is at risk, seek out a leading UK motoring law solicitor for advice about your motoring offence and receive free, professional advice about your specific offence circumstances.

No Insurance

Insurance is often expensive in the UK, leading to many drivers to drive without being adequately insured. It is a legal requirement to have at least 3rd party insurance cover to comply with UK law.

Driving without insurance is a serious offence. If you hurt, maim or kill another person while driving, it’s important that you have the legal backing of motor insurance to recompense all third parties.

Without insurance you may well be pursued for money to cover any damage caused, so you risk everything you own if you drive without cover in place.

Additionally, you will receive a large fine and 6 points on your licence. This in turn will make future insurance even more expensive for you. Have you been caught without insurance? Ask Pattersonlaw.co.uk how they can successfully defend driving without insurance allegations for you.

It is estimated that there are over 1 million uninsured motorists in the UK despite the efforts to prosecute the offence. The police have the powers to seize your uninsured vehicle and in many cases, these cars are then crushed, or sometimes sold.

No insurance is a strict liability offence, so there is not usually much legal wriggle room to defend the offence. You either are insured or you are not. It is also one of the few offences whereby it is up to you to prove your innocence, rather than the court to prove your guilt.

This is because it is not easy for the police to identify the company that you are insured with. For instance, you might be stopped driving a friends car, for which you are not on the policy, but if you have a fully comprehensive policy (which includes use of other vehicles with the drivers permission – not all do, although most drivers seem to think they do) then the police wouldn’t be able to check your cover was in place without you providing the documentation to prove your innocence.

ANPR (Automatic Number Plate Recognition) cameras are fitted to many police cars, additionally, they are also fitted in special traffic monitoring vehicles and most large petrol station companies have ANPR cameras installed, checking each vehicle for valid insurance before allowing them to fill up.

ANPR cameras are also installed in other locations that the police don’t advertise.

If you drive in towns, or on major roads, chances are your vehicle will be seen by these cameras and you will then be flagged as a ‘car of interest’ liable to be stopped by the police at the next opportunity.