Road traffic
Police have a number of powers aimed at keeping drivers and pedestrians safe on
our roads. Here's an overview of situations where you may be pulled over by the
police, plus advice on your rights and responsibilities.
What happens if I get stopped?
The police have the power to stop anyone at any time - they don't need to give
you a reason - and failing to stop is a criminal offence.
When pulled over by the police, you may be asked to produce documents including:
drivers' licence
insurance certificate
vehicle registration document
If you don't have these with you, you'll be given seven days to produce them at
a police station. If you feel you've been stopped too many times, you can make
a complaint.
What can the police do?
Issue a notice
If you're pulled over and have committed a traffic offence, the
police may issue you with a:
fixed penalty notice (FPN)
vehicle defect rectification notice
What's a fixed penalty notice (FPN)?
If you've committed a minor traffic offence, like not wearing a
seatbelt or driving with a broken headlight, the police may issue
you with a one-off fine called a fixed penalty notice.
Non-endorsable offences - meaning those which don't result in points
on your licence, like driving while talking on a mobile phone -
usually incur a fine of £30.
Fines for endorsable offences like speeding are usually £60, although
there may be some exceptions. More serious offences such as driving
without insurance can incur fines of up to £200.
Police do not have the power to make you pay fines on the spot.
If you feel a penalty notice is unjust, you can choose not to pay
the fine and argue your case in court. If you do pay the fine, you
won't be prosecuted and no record of your offence will be kept.
Recipients have 28 days to pay the fixed penalty or request a hearing
otherwise the fine will increase by 50%. You'll be reported for
prosecution if you fail to pay a fixed penalty for an offence detected
by an automatic camera within 28 days.
What's a vehicle defect rectification notice?
If your vehicle is defective, for example, one of its indictors
is broken, you may be issued with a vehicle defect rectification
notice. This means you have to fix the fault and provide proof,
such as a receipt from a mechanic saying the fault has been fixed,
at a police station.
Ask for a breath test
Police can 'breathalyse' you (ask you for a breath test) if they
suspect you've been drinking, for example, if your driving seems
erratic.
You'll be asked to give two valid samples of breath, and the lower
result is the one on which any prosecution will be based.
If you fail the breath test, the police will take you to the police
station where you'll be charged and the evidence (the breath test)
will be stored. You must leave your car until you're sober enough
to move it, or another 'legal' driver can move it with your permission.
Failure to give a breath test is an offence.
What road offences result in disqualification
from driving?
If you get 12 points on your licence within a three year period
as a result of endorsable offences, your licence will usually be
taken off you for at least six months. Offences that warrant mandatory
disqualification from driving include all drink driving offences.
What road offences result in vehicle seizure?
The police have the power to seize a vehicle if it's being used
in an anti-social manner (causing alarm, harassment or distress).
This includes inconsiderate driving and unauthorised off-road driving
of cars, motorbikes etc.
As of 1 July 2005, police can seize vehicles if drivers don't have
an appropriate licence or insurance.
What road offences result in arrest and imprisonment?
The police can arrest you for any offence if they see fit. Serious
road offences may result in imprisonment - such as causing death
by dangerous driving. |
