A new campaign is calling on the Government to give courts the power to require speeding offenders to have technology fitted that prevents them from exceeding speed limits again.
The Stop Excessive Speeders campaign has been launched by Smart Start and Tendo Consulting, with the support of organisations including Road Safety GB and the RAC.
It backs the introduction of Intervening Intelligent Speed Assistance (IISA) to clamp down on the problem of repeat and excessive speeders.
IISA differs significantly from the Advisory ISA systems, which are now fitted as standard to most new cars, as it actively stops a vehicle from exceeding the speed limit, except in defined emergency override situations, which are logged so they can be reviewed.
While the Government’s Road Safety Strategy looks at the benefits of Advisory ISA in the context of vehicle safety technology, it makes no reference to the potential use of Intervening ISA as part of a targeted offender intervention programme for repeat or excessive speeders.
This is despite road casualty data from 2024 showing that exceeding the speed limit was a contributory factor in 20% of fatal collisions.
An event in Parliament on Wednesday (3 June), attended by Nicola Foster, chair of Road Safety GB, gave MPs the chance to learn about the technology.
A total of 29 MPs attended, including minister for local transport, Lilian Greenwood.
Nicola Foster said: “Road Safety GB would support a trial of this technology, which is already proven in several US states and other countries, as an effective tool in changing speeding behaviours amongst those at high risk of reoffending.
“This technology could help progress towards achieving the stretching targets in the new Road Safety Strategy. It was a privilege to be able to speak to so many interested MPs”
Data published by the RAC in support of the campaign shows more than 4,000 drivers who have accumulated 12 or more penalty points for speeding offences have escaped being banned and are still behind the wheel.
A Freedom of Information (FOI) request obtained from the DVLA shows 4,154 drivers are still legally permitted to drive despite having crossed the threshold for losing their licences in what is known as ‘totting up’.
And of this group, there are 117 drivers who have collected more than 20 speeding points.
Remarkably, two drivers have amassed 43 and 45 points on their licences but have been allowed by the courts to carry on driving as a ban would have caused exceptional hardship.
Simon Williams, RAC head of policy, said: “It’s very concerning that so many repeat speeders have been allowed to carry on driving despite amassing 12 points or more which would normally lead to them losing their licences – and for very good reason given that speeding is one of the leading factors in the most serious collisions on our roads.”
RAC research carried out for the Government’s consultation on its recently published Road Safety Strategy found that nine-in-10 (86%) drivers are supportive of new measures being introduced to target those who speed excessively.
Similarly, research commissioned by the Stop Excessive Speeders campaign also highlights strong public support for the use of technology to help address the problem.
Eight-out-of-10 drivers surveyed said they would support proposals for anyone caught excessively speeding, or who has been caught speeding multiple times, to have an ‘Intervening Intelligent Speed Assistance’ device fitted to their car to prevent them exceeding the limit again.
A spokesperson for the Stop Excessive Speeders campaign said: “Excessive speed remains one of the leading causes of death on our roads, and the public clearly recognises the need for action. What our research shows is that people instinctively understand the link between tackling dangerous driving and saving lives.
“Intervening Intelligent Speed Assistance is a practical, proportionate solution, targeting repeat offenders while allowing the vast majority of drivers to go about their daily lives without disruption.”
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