Van Driver Fined for Breaking Road Block
A van driver from Mossley has become the second driver in Tameside to be prosecuted for ignoring Highways Agency Traffic Officers\' directions, after breaking a rolling road block imposed by Traffic Officers on the M60. The van driver, aged 51, appeared at Tameside Magistrates' Court on Monday (01/09/08) and admitted driving without reasonable consideration for other road users.
He was fined £585 with three
penalty points added to his driving licence. 
On Tuesday, August 28 2007, Traffic Officers put on a rolling road block to help colleagues recover a lorry strap from lane three of the M60, between junctions 22 and 23 near Ashton under Lyme. The Highways Agency's Regional Control Centre at Newton-Le-Willows had already set advisory 50 mph signs to warn drivers of the danger.
The road block was breached almost immediately by a van driver. The road block had to be abandoned, and safe recovery of the strap was delayed. Traffic Officers subsequently reported the registration of the vehicle to Greater Manchester Police, and the driver was summonsed.
The size of the fine, and the imposition of penalty points, reflect the seriousness and potential danger of this driver's actions.
(Nov 08)
Causing Death by Careless Driving
Under new Road Safety Act laws, which came into force on 28th August 2008, drivers who kill whilst distracted by carrying out an avoidable activity whilst driving, could face up to five years in prison. Previously the maximum sentence was a fine and penalty points. Avoidable activities include; calling or texting from a mobile phone, eating and drinking, or putting on make-up.
Drivers may blame their employer for making them work excessive hours and not allowing them adequate time for meal breaks, or pressurising them to make business calls whilst driving. Therefore it is important that companies have a clear "Driving for Work Policy" which clearly states that all activities unrelated to safe driving practices are prohibited.
Road Deaths Remain Unchanged
Newly released figures from the DfT suggest that one in twelve accidents involved someone driving whilst on company business, although this figure 
could be much higher.
Currently 77% of vehicles involved in an accident which resulted in police involvement have had the reason for their journey recorded as "other" or "not classified"
30,567 cars were involved in at-work crashes
24,609 crashed whilst commuting to and from work
8,670 goods vehicles were involved in crashes of which 51% were LCV
Further information can be found at
www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/statistics/