ABI Response to Highway Code consultation document Name/Organisation Email address David Powell, Policy Adviser Association of British Insurers David.Powell@abi.org.uk Rule / page no N/A General Comments Suggested change The ABI represents the collective interests of the UK s industry. The Association has around 400 member companies. Between them, they provide 94 per cent of domestic services sold in the UK. The ABI welcomes this consultation as an opportunity to improve road safety standards. We note that this is the first review of the Highway Code since the publication of the Greenaway Review of uninsured driving in the UK. In this review, there were specific recommendations to improve the quality and prominence of information about compulsory motor in the Highway Code, and we stress the importance of reflecting these recommendations to Government in the revised document. The revised Highway Code should repeatedly and prominently emphasise, in clear terms, the compulsory requirement, and the consequences of driving without, with specific emphasis on the risk that uninsured drivers face - prosecution and having a vehicle seized and destroyed. Insurers are very concerned that motorists rarely, if ever, read the Highway Code once they have are fully licensed to drive. More effort should be made to ensure that all drivers are routinely made aware of the requirements of the Highway Code. Regular reminders to read the most up to date version should be provided to drivers. For example, reminders could be added to vehicle excise duty renewals, and could feature in media campaigns. ABI, May 2006 Reason 89 / 23 Insert a new additional rule 90 (new paragraph) Further to the
after point 89, but before the section on Alcohol and Drugs, highlighting the importance of the compulsory requirement AND the potential consequences of driving/riding a motorcycle whilst uninsured. Add the paragraph from bottom of page 100 on requirements and also add Uninsured drivers can now be automatically detected by roadside cameras. Further to the penalties for uninsured driving listed on page 104, an offender s vehicle can now be seized by the Police and taken away and crushed. RTA, Section 165A and 165B. recommendations made to Government by the Greenaway Review, MUCH more emphasis is needed on the importance of the compulsory requirement AND the potential consequences of driving/riding a motorcycle whilst uninsured. Also add cartoon-picture of car being crushed. 92 / 24 and 92 / 25 Head restraints should have a specific bullet: Always ensure that your head restraint is correctly adjusted to reduce the risk of head and neck injuries in the event of a collision. To be effective, a head restraint must be as close to the back of the head as possible (touching is best) and the top of the restraint should be as high as the top of the head. Remember it is a head restraint, not a headrest. The picture on page 25 should be amended to highlight the importance of both height and backset, as per the below images (for example) from Thatcham s website (http://www.thatcham.org/ncwr/index.jsp?page=30) This text should reflect the current advice from the Motor Insurance Repair Research Centre (Thatcham) and the International Insurance Whiplash Prevention Group on the correct positioning of head restraints. Good
Bad 100 Annex 3 Insert a new Paragraph before The types of cover available are Add Uninsured drivers can now be automatically detected by roadside cameras. Further to the penalties for uninsured driving listed on page 104, an offender s vehicle can now be seized by the Police and taken away and crushed. RTA, Section 165A and 165B. Also add cartoon-picture of car being crushed. New Police powers to seize and destroy vehicles being used by uninsured drivers were introduced into the RTA by the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005. These powers present an excellent opportunity to tackle uninsured driving and should be widely promoted. Further, in his report commissioned by the Department for Transport, Prof. David Greenaway recommended that the compulsory requirements should figure much more prominently in the Highway Code. 100 / Annex 3 Insurance Amend wording to To use a vehicle on the road or other public place. The compulsory requirements of the Road Traffic Act 1988 (Section 143, 145 etc.), were extended by the Motor Vehicles (Compulsory Insurance) Regulations 2000, No 726, to include public places. 101 Annex 3 Under Third Party Insurance delete this is the cheapest form of. Amend wording to Third Party Insurance provides at least the minimum cover required by law. It covers anyone you might injure or whose property you might damage, if you are found to be at fault. It does not cover damage to your own vehicle or Third party policies offer more cover than the minimum specified by the Road Traffic Act (e.g. cover for property damage is provided well in excess of the 250,000 RTA minimum requirement)
101 Annex 3 101 Annex 3 SORN 102 Annex 4, Road Traffic Law 106 / Other consequences of offending injury to yourself. Under Comprehensive delete the best and replace with offers the most protection to you. Query - Current wording does not explain what happens if a SORN is cancelled within 12 months from inception? Amend wording to The definition of a road or other public place. Insert a new sentence in BOLD after Where an offence Uninsured drivers can now be automatically detected by roadside cameras. If you are caught driving without your vehicle may be seized by the Police, and it could be taken away and crushed. RTA, Section 165A and 165B. Also, the original wording omits that the liability element of third party motor only covers negligent acts. Best is a subjective term and comprehensive cover might not be suitable or available for everyone, depending on their circumstances. Current wording does not explain what happens if a SORN is cancelled. As per above, the compulsory requirements of the Road Traffic Act 1988 (Section 143, 145 etc.), were extended by the Motor Vehicles (Compulsory Insurance) Regulations 2000, No 726, to include public places. The text should highlight the new Police powers to seize and destroy vehicles belonging to uninsured drivers to maximise the deterrent value. 106 / Other consequences of offending Delete companies consider and replace with premiums reflect the risk the driver poses and The text should emphasise that the premiums change to reflect the increased risk. 109 / Vehicle security Add a new bullet point At home, don t leave your vehicle keys on display (e.g. on hall table) put them away in a drawer Advice on this issue can help prevent burglary specifically to steal car keys a growing problem
112 / driving while uninsured Amend bullet to read Driving while uninsured is a serious criminal offence. In addition to prosecution, your vehicle may be seized by the Police, and it could be taken away and crushed. RTA, Section 165A and 165B. Good opportunity to reinforce deterrent effect of new Police powers to seize and destroy vehicles used whilst driver is uninsured. 113 useful websites Add www.saferparking.com Useful link to the Association of Chief Police Officers initiative to reduce crime and the fear of crime in parking areas. Association of British Insurers May 2006