“Forfeiture of vehicles” to be introduced in 2013

12.00 | 18 October 2012 | | 7 comments

The DfT’s ‘road safety action plan’ includes new legislation to seize the vehicles of drink and drug drivers, according to an investigation by Auto Express.

The DfT’s plan lists “forfeiture of vehicles” as a measure to be introduced in 2013, and the Auto Express article says a DfT spokeswoman has confirmed that the new powers would be used specifically for drink and drug driving offences.

Auto Express also says that the new drug driving law, announced earlier this year, will not come into effect until 2015, and that police will not get access to roadside ‘drugalysers’ until the same date.

Edmund King, AA president, believes that vehicle seizure could be a good thing, so long as the powers are used sensibly.

He said: “There is a problem with drink drivers who don’t stop and re-offend and re-offend. Some of these drink drivers have a drink problem rather than a driving problem.

“So you can ban someone from driving for a period of time, but if they get their licence back and still have a drink problem, they are likely to re-offend. If this is targeted at persistent offenders, it’s a good idea.

“I think you have to be careful that you’re not taking away the family car, that it’s not affecting people who aren’t drink driving.”

It is likely that the vehicle seizures will be introduced in April next year to coincide with a raft of other measures, according to Auto Express.

These include the new offence of careless, which will give police the powers to issue fixed penalty notices to drivers who tailgate, undertake or cut up other road users; and the withdrawal of the statutory right to a blood test for drivers caught over the drink limit.

Click here to read the full Auto Express report.

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    It happens already in Scotland. First for repeat drink-drive offenders, then extended to drug-drivers. Next extension was for those three times the limit or more, and also those who refuse to provide a sepciment for analysis.


    Mike, Lanarkshire
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    I agree with Steve’s comment. No surprise that the others do not think of the victims of potential victims. It is about time that vehicles are taken away from drivers who have a drink or drug problem, as this will not only save innocent lives but will take away the temptation to use the vehicle. It is time for a Zero Tolerance on drink, drug, hit & run, uninsured, mobile phone use, and all criminal motoring offences. As road safety people, this is what your JOB should be.


    judith, Norfolk
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    So basically what you’re saying Idris, is that it’s harsh on rich people with flash cars, but fine for people who aren’t speeding around in Bentleys/Jaguars etc?


    Alan, Sheffield
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    What about drink or drug drivers who have no car of their own, but drive their family’s car(s)? What about cars on hire purchase or leased, not owned by drivers? What about two DDD friends, one driving a £200 banger and the other his father’s £80,000 Mercedes or Jaguar?

    What about the drunk who owns several cars? Could he choose which one to hand in?

    Even more so, what about the marginal drunk – 51mg/ml – driving a brand new Bentley Continental, and the roaring drunk, 150mg/ml driving a Trabant? £250,000 down the drain for one, 25 down the drain for the other?


    Idris Francis Petersfield
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    Taking the car away from someone with a dependancy issue won’t help them. But it may help the other road users they could kill with it.


    Steve, Merseyside
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    Whilst I agree that the dependency issue needs addressing, why allow the offender the opportunity of driving the vehicle again whilst incapable with the risk of endangering other road users lives?


    Grahame Essex
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    If people have a drink or drug dependancy problem taking their car away isn’t likely to help. Tackling the dependancy issues would.

    Would it not be better to suspend a sentence on the provision of a successfully completed rehabilitation for those with drink or drug addiction? This would benefit society on a wider basis not just road safety.


    Dave, Leeds
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