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Police to be taught traffic law.

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sickpup
Old Timer



Joined: 21 Apr 2004
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PostPosted: 22:17 - 13 Sep 2006    Post subject: Police to be taught traffic law. Reply with quote
Quote:
New guidelines will help crack down on dangerous drivers escaping conviction on technicalities, a senior police officer has said.

The Association of Chief Police Officers (Acpo) said it was working on new rules which will ensure officers and prosecutors are well versed in motoring laws in order to present stronger arguments in court.

The move follows a series of high-profile cases in which legal teams have used loopholes in the law to secure acquittals for their clients.

Meredydd Hughes, Acpo lead on road policing and chief constable of South Yorkshire Police, said the move was a response to public concern. He said: "In response to public concern about high-profile acquittals in drink-driving cases and determined efforts to overturn the use of safety cameras, Acpo have taken a number of steps to support police officers and prosecutors involved in these cases.

"Acpo is working on new guidelines to ensure police officers are effectively trained in all aspects of enforcing drink-driving law.

"We have also produced additional guidance for officers and prosecutors involved in safety camera-related cases, and expert assistance is now more widely available to prosecutors faced with dissidents who are determined to discredit enforcement technology. This is already proving highly successful."

Mr Hughes said it was important to remember there were "very few" acquittals on a daily basis, and more than 100,000 drivers were prosecuted for drink-driving last year. But he added: "Drivers who fail to change their behaviour are undoubtedly likely to come to police attention and we intend that the prosecution process gives those bereaved in road collisions the sense that justice has been done."

Earlier Mr Hughes said there was increasing frustration with lawyers who use legal small print to secure not guilty verdicts, and suggested officers could be "looking for" motorists who had been "unjustly acquitted".

Wednesday's move was welcomed by driving groups and lawyers, despite reservations that some motorists could be unfairly targeted. High-profile lawyer Nick Freeman, known as "Mr Loophole", said drivers would not be acquitted on technicalities if cases were properly prepared by police.

Barry Sheerman, chairman of the Parliamentary Advisory Council for Transport Safety, said the new move was "music to his ears". Earlier this month the Labour MP for Huddersfield wrote to Transport Secretary Douglas Alexander urging him to ensure that the Road Safety Bill currently before Parliament seals off known loopholes.


So what their going to teach the Police and Prosecuters what the road traffic acts say not what they think they say?
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Kickstart
The Oracle



Joined: 04 Feb 2002
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PostPosted: 22:36 - 13 Sep 2006    Post subject: Reply with quote
Don't forget the threats to ramp the costs right up so that people cannot afford to take the chances of going to court.

All the best

Keith
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VTR SP1
Brolly Dolly



Joined: 31 Aug 2004
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PostPosted: 10:34 - 14 Sep 2006    Post subject: Reply with quote
Why don't they just close the loopholes.
If the police stop someone driving a car and they are pissed there is no way they should get off because they can afford a flash solicitor.

SP1
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feef
Energiser Bunny



Joined: 11 Feb 2002
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PostPosted: 10:42 - 14 Sep 2006    Post subject: Reply with quote
VTR SP1 wrote:
Why don't they just close the loopholes.
If the police stop someone driving a car and they are pissed there is no way they should get off because they can afford a flash solicitor.

SP1

i don't think the lopholes are actualy problems in the law, but in lack of knowledge of the arresting officer in traffic law, meaning perhaps the wrong box was ticked, or the wrong terminology used, resulting in a 'technicality'

by addressing this knowledge issue, the 'loopholes' will be shut as the correct procedures will be followed more closely.

a
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Kickstart
The Oracle



Joined: 04 Feb 2002
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PostPosted: 18:41 - 14 Sep 2006    Post subject: Reply with quote
Hi

You mean loopholes, such as laser speed detection equipment only being useable as evidence if operated by a police officer. A part of the law that is routinely ignored.

Or the law that you are innocent until proven guilty. Pretty much ignored for speeding.

Or the right not to incriminate yourself, removed for speeding offences.

All the best

Keith
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sickpup
Old Timer



Joined: 21 Apr 2004
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PostPosted: 22:48 - 14 Sep 2006    Post subject: Reply with quote
Kickstart wrote:


You mean loopholes, such as laser speed detection equipment only being useable as evidence if operated by a police officer. A part of the law that is routinely ignored.



Not just laser speed detectors. The whole issue of primary evidence in speeding cases.
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Itchy
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Joined: 07 Apr 2005
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PostPosted: 13:03 - 15 Sep 2006    Post subject: Reply with quote
What ever happend to that case where speed guns are only to be used to confirm an officers opinion if a person is speeding hence using a speed gun on somebody 2 miles away on open moors wasn't legal.
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Kickstart
The Oracle



Joined: 04 Feb 2002
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PostPosted: 18:16 - 15 Sep 2006    Post subject: Reply with quote
Itchy wrote:
What ever happend to that case where speed guns are only to be used to confirm an officers opinion if a person is speeding hence using a speed gun on somebody 2 miles away on open moors wasn't legal.


That is the only use for a speed gun as far as the law goes.

All the best

Keith
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