1. STRATEGIES TO REDUCE CRIME
TRAFFIC OFFENCES
There were a total of 10,293 reported vehicle accidents in Scotland in
2010.
The main offence people can be charged with is speeding. However, try to
think of any other crimes that can be committed in/using a motor vehicle:
Speeding
Road
Traffic
Offences

2. Some Current Laws on Driving/Traffic
There are lots of Road Traffic laws, many of which are very complicated.
Some laws include:
All drivers must be holders of a valid driving licence
A learner drive must hold a provisional license and display ‘L’ plates
Can be fined up to £1000 for driving without TAX or and MOT
Driving without insurance can be fined up to £5000 and get 6-8 points
on their licence
 Drink drivers can be given up to £5000, 4 points and disqualified from
driving
 Using a mobile phone while driving can result in 3 points being added
to a licence and also a £60 fine
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Proposed Changes to Road Traffic Law
The UK government is considering introducing a number of changes to
current driving laws.
1.
2.
3.
4.
Raising the driving age from 17 to 18
Introducing a minimum number of lessons
A tougher theory test
A ban on carrying passengers aged between 10 -20yrs during 11pm5am for 1 year after passing your test

3. Raising the driving age is seen as one of the key ways to reduce crime on
the roads. What do you think about this?
Arguments FOR raising the
driving age
Arguments AGAINST raising the
driving age
It will reduce the number of
deaths. There are over 1000
deaths a year on the roads in the
UK. 1 in 3 of those is aged under
25
Reduces mobility. 70% of 17yrs olds
drive themselves to work/college or
university. Cars can be vital in rural
areas for freedom and
independence
Young people may be under peer By limiting the age will only make
pressure to drive dangerously and older drivers 18 plus, less
are more likely to drive recklessly. experienced when they do come to
drive
Over confidence. Young drivers
can be over confident or
overestimate their driving skill.
Age is not the problem. Most
accidents are caused due to lack of
experience not age.
ACTIVITIES
1.
Take the heading ‘Strategies to Reduce Crime – Road Traffic
Offences’
2.
Explain, in detail, why some people think the age at which you
can drive should be raised. remember to use PEET (this is
because…)