Confiscation for road offences
A new law being presented in Parliament would make confiscation of cars automatic for certain serious motoring offences.
PEOPLE who commit serious motoring offences would have their cars confiscated, then sold for the state or destroyed, under a new law being presented to Parliament.
Driving with no licence – whether because a person never passed a test or because they lost it due to driving offences – will be among actions which would lead to a car being confiscated automatically.
Judges had some discretion, but it would be the exception and they would have to explain their reasons.
Going more than 50km/hour over the speed limit or drink-driving would also result in automatic confiscation in the case of a repeat offence. The car could also be seized if a person refused a drug or alcohol test.
The new law also gives judges powers to insist on the cars of drink-drivers being fitted with equipment so a breath test is needed before starting the car. The sale of licence points (where a person agrees to say they were driving and take someone else’s points) is also addressed explicitly for the first time – both buyer and seller would face up to six months’ prison and a e15,000 fine, which would be doubled if the offence took place over the internet.
