At a Meeting on Friday I9th- December 1952 the President, Mr H.J.Buckton gave a Talk on
DRIVING EFFICIENCY SCHEME
Mr. Buckton described his scheme for reducing road accidents by introducing decrees of partial disqualifications for driving corresponding to the seriousness of an offence, with a system for redemption of penalities by driving for prescribed periods without further offence. Members showed great interest in the scheme, whioh was very favourably received, and a full discussion resulted.
Outline of the scheme
(a) All drivers with a clean sheet to have a Driving Efficiency Assessment of 100%.
(b) Whenever a conviction is incurred for one of the 9 selected Road Traffic Offences then a percentage deduction shall be made from the Driving Efficiency of the driver concerned.
(c) The percentage deductions will be related to the seriousness of the offence with a percentage minimum for each offence.
(d) If a deduction or an accumulation of deductions reaches IOO% then the Driving Licence will be suspended.
(e) Deductions can be redeemed by a lapse of time following a conviction without any new conviction during that time.
(f) Redemption Periods are calculated on the basis of one calendar month for every 5% efficiency deduction to be redeemed – (or alternatively at stepped rates).
(g) In the case of a driver having more than one un-redeemed deduction then a prolonged single redemption period is incurred to cover the outstanding deductions as a whole.
(h) When a licence is suspended on account of the cumulative unredeemed deductions reaching IOO% it can be regained after expiration of a Suspension Period calculated on the basis of one calendar month for every 10% of accumulated deductions over 50% at the time of suspension, the licence being re-issued with an unredeemed efficiency of 50% subject to tne driver undergoing successfully the standard driving test after the expiration of the suspension period when an “L” Licence will be granted to him.
The Scheme makes good much that is deficient in the System of Fines by the addition of a new penalty of Partial-disqualification which imposes extra restraint on drivers in varying degrees to suit the needs of the varying degrees of faulty driving.
By the introduction of Partial-disqualification the great Power of the “Threat of Disqualification” can be fully used in the interests of Road Safety. Up to now only a small fraction of the power of the Threat of Disqualification has been used.
In April last the Worthing Town Council considered the Scheme and recommended it to the Ministry of Transport for submission to the Committee on Road Safety but the Ministry rejected the Scheme, giving in writing their reasons for doing so.
Mr.Buckton then took the matter up direct with the Ministry and it was decided to refer it to the Parliamentary Secretary who ruled that it should be submitted to the Committee on Road Safety as originally recommended by the Town Council.
The Committee is a very knowledgeable and authoritative body representing all the leading road interests including the Ministry of Transport, Home Office, Ministry of Education, Department of Scientific & Industrial Research, Scottish Home Dept., Police, Royal Society of Prevention of Accidents, R.A.C., A.A., Cycle Touring Club, Pedestrians Association and Trade Union Congress.
Mr.Buckton hopes the Scheme has sufficient merit to stand up successfully to the gruelling that must be expected from such a powerful Committee.
Dear Member, R.C.E.A. 15 March, 1982
You will doubtless recall that very recently Mr Norman Fowler, the Minister of Transport, put forward certain recommendations for dealing with traffic and driving offenders. The above has been sent to me by Mrs Winifred Cooch, the most respected wife of our founder who has never lost interest in what her husband started. I think you will find it of great interest and, I believe, makes us a part of history for, almost certainly, Mr Fowler must have gained his inspiration from Mr Buckton, the second of our long line of Presidents. What is amazing is that it has taken almost 30 years to come to some sort of fruition!
Yours sincerely,
David W. Beeken.
