Measures to reduce speeding in the Channel Islands, including penalty points for offenders and speed cameras, have been suggested in a new report.
The Guernsey Press has reported that although the report from Aecom was completed in October last year it has only just come to light following a Freedom of Information request to the States. Guernsey has two ways of dealing with road traffic offences – fixed penalties and court action.
The former is used for parking offences, using a mobile phone while driving and not wearing a seat belt, while motorists caught speeding will be taken to court, but the report notes that while some speeding convictions can lead to a driving ban, those who received multiple fixed penalties did not end up being banned, because the island does not have a points system as in the UK.
There was no automatic limit on the number of fixed penalties someone could receive before the punishment was elevated to the point where a ban was possible.
‘This shows a lack of enforcement consistency and intermediate action between low level and serious offences,’ said the report.
It made 12 recommendations, including bringing in a points-based system as well as fixed and average speed cameras at speeding ‘hot spots’ around the island.
The recommendations also include people being able to submit video evidence of noisy vehicles via an online portal, as well as bringing in the local equivalent of the MOT test.
Kerb surfing is also mentioned, being described as one of the island’s most common traffic offences – a ‘prevalent and emotive’ one, said the report, which recommended that it be added to a penalty points system.
As well as measures such as rumble strips and raised kerbs in some areas, it is suggested that intelligent traffic cameras with an automatic number plate recognition facility could be considered to monitor areas where kerb surfing is a particular problem.
Environment & Infrastructure and Home Affairs, in their response to the FOI request, said that some of the recommendations were already in force or under way, such as legislation for noisy vehicles and new measures for vehicle standards and inspection, as well as refreshing traffic monitoring devices.
‘The other recommendations will be considered alongside their other areas of business and priorities,’ they said.
A joint meeting of the committees is due to take place in the coming months to further consider the report’s findings.
(Pic: Mapillary)
