The Spectator

Do speeding fines work?

iStock 
issue 27 May 2023

Fine lines

Would Suella Braverman be more likely to stick to the speed limit had she chosen to go on a speed awareness course instead of being fined? A government-commissioned study in 2018 looked at the reoffending rate among 1.4 million drivers who had accepted the offer of a speed awareness course and compared it with that of drivers who opted to take three points and pay a fine instead. Within two years of taking the course, around a quarter of drivers had reoffended. However, the rate was lower than it was for motorists who had chosen to pay the fine. The relative reduction of reoffending was put at 12-23% after six months, 9-17% after one year, 9-11% after two years and 6-13% after three years.  

Streets ahead

Where in England will you pay the highest and lowest council tax for a band D property?

Lowest

Westminster                                         £478

Wandsworth                                        £487

Hammersmith and Fulham                £871

City of London                                    £961

Highest

Gateshead                                        £2,070

Nottingham                                     £2,052

Bristol                                               £1,996

Northumberland                             £1,985

Crop and change

How has agriculture in England changed in a century? Land measurements in hectares:

2000                                                  2022

3.

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