PRESS RELEASE

16 June 2014

Never mind higher court fines; focus on more effective enforcement of existing traffic laws, says GEM Motoring Assist

ROAD SAFETY ANDbreakdown organisation GEM Motoring Assist is urging ministers to stop making pointless proposals about big rises in court fines and focus their attention on providing better enforcement of existing laws.

Responding to the headline-grabbing remarks this week by Justice Minister Jeremy Wright, GEM chief executive David Williams MBE said: "You have to catch offenders before you can fine them, and current levels of police enforcement on the UK's roads are woefully inadequate.

"Besides, any new legislation would require time for debate in Parliament, but there is currently no current timetable for any such discussion.

"GEM believes it is vital that there are more speed controls, moredrink and drug drive checks, more seatbelt checks, more mobile phone checks, more vehicle safety checks, as well as an increase in police patrols to identify and deal with unsafe driving acts. This will serve as a welcome deterrent and will see higher levels of compliance with road traffic rules.

"The direct result of better compliance will be less use of court time for motoring offences, and - crucially - fewer deaths and serious injuries on our roads."

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 Notes to Editors: 

GEM Motoring Assist provides two levels of recovery service; Recovery EXTRA and Recovery RECLAIM, to suit all needs and pockets. All GEM policies also include free Accident Management, so members are also fully covered in this area. 

GEM provides a unique, comprehensive and competitively-priced Roadside Assistance and Vehicle Recovery Service. GEM has also been voted number one for Breakdown Cover in the 2013, 2011, 2010 and 2008 Auto Express Driver Power Survey, and runners-up in 2012 and 2009. 

GEM Motoring Assist is a trading name of The Guild of Experienced Motorists, established in 1932, as an independent driver-based road safety association. GEM's aim is to improve safety for all road users through the sponsorship and initiation of accident prevention measures throughout the UK and to provide motoring and safety information to its own members. Member benefits include a quarterly magazine, free literature and advice and discounts on insurances and other services. 

Press information: David Williams MBE, Chief Executive of GEM Motoring Assist, is available for comment on 01342-825676 (office) or 07711450560 (mobile).  David Williams was awarded the MBE in 1998 for services to road safety. Alternatively you can emailpress@motoringassist.comfor any further information.