Fixed penalty notices 'don't work'

06/06/2011

By Gemma Roberts

Just 15 per cent of motorists believe that fixed penalty notices help to tackle careless driving, according to a recent poll.

The survey of 1,900 people found that 90 per cent of motorists were in favour of choosing between points or paying for driver improvement courses.

The poll, by road safety charity the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM), also revealed that 40 per cent of motorists feel careless drivers should be forced to take compulsory training courses.

While a third think they should be reprimanded verbally by a police officer.

The IAM survey also revealed that the majority of drivers think that serious offenders should be dealt with more harshly.

Around 77 per cent felt that serious offenders should have their vehicles seized and 59 per cent felt that all disqualified drivers should be made to retake their driving test.

IAM chief executive Simon Best said: "The vast majority of crashes are caused by driver error, they are not deliberate - fining drivers is punitive and does not improve driving skills.

"Driver quality is the key issue in improving road safety and this poll recognises that driving is a skill that needs refreshing and updating."