Quoted from Pistonheads....
'NOT GUILTY' MOTORISTS FACE COURT COSTS
Drivers acquitted of motoring charges will pay costs under new government scheme
Could you afford to fight an unfair ticket?
Could you afford to fight an unfair ticket?
New regulations set to come into force later this month will see motorists forced to cough up court costs - even if they're found not guilty or acquitted of motoring offences.
The government-inspired change to the current set-up - where drivers get costs refunded if they're innocent - is being implemented to save cash, in spite of fierce opposition from legal and motoring groups who were nominally 'consulted' before the new policy was drawn up.
According to the Ministry of Justice, the age old principle of 'the loser pays' has been costing the government too much money. As a result the new rules make it clear that in future drivers will have to foot the bill for clearing their name. According to The Taxpayers Alliance, that equates to 400,000 people, or one in four of those who challenge a ticket.
Now the Conservative party has joined the last ditch effort to derail the changes, and campaigners are looking for more signatories to a petition on the Number 10 website. We're off to go and sign the petition ourselves, and you can find out more by reading the press release below, that was issued by the Association of Motor Offence Lawyers today.
http://www.pistonheads.com/news/default.asp?storyId=20842Does it ever end, or will the government never tire of trying to get as much money out of motorists as possible?
Jay
"Learn from the mistakes of others, you dont have time to make them all yourself"
Rospa South West and Taunton Group Chairman 2007-2009