New road safety laws in force

Drivers are being warned that changes to the Road Safety Act governing death by careless driving have come into force. The changes cover distractions such as smoking behind the wheel, talking to passengers, using a mobile phone (hand-held or hands-free) and listening to music. Drivers prosecuted under the Act could face prison sentences of up to five years. Penalty points will also increase from three to six for those failing to provide information about a driver caught speeding. Barrister Kevin McLoughlin told trade publication Safety and Health Practitioner Online that employees may be likely to pass the blame for any offence they are charged with to their employer. Employers should review their driving policies so they include a warning not to contravene the Highway Code, he said.

Read more on this story at:
http://www.healthandsafetyclick.net/news/item.cfm?NewsItemID=460

Read more reaction at:
http://www.shponline.co.uk/article.asp?pagename=news&article_id=7897

View the changes to the Road Safety Act at:
http://www.justice.gov.uk/docs/circular-road-safety-act.pdf