Drivers could risk £5,000 fine for failing to report accidents in person
Drivers must report a road traffic incident to the police
GETTY
Drivers could be breaking the law by failing to report incidents on the road to the police in person.
Drivers must report a road traffic incident to the police, but online forms have meant that many drivers are getting away with never actually meeting officers in person.
Online reporting, while a more convenient option, conflicts with existing road traffic legislation, according to one road traffic expert.
If found guilty of failing to stop at the scene of an accident or failing to report an accident, the maximum penalty a driver could face is a fine of £5,000, or six months’ imprisonment.
Research looked at whether autonomous cars could be safe without a passengerPARoad traffic lawyer, Nick Freeman, known on social media as Mr Loophole, said: “Many forces now have online reporting for road traffic accidents - probably because they can't be bothered to investigate the offence.
“But offering this service demonstrates arrogance and incompetence - suggesting that the police can tweak the law to suit their needs.”
He explained that the reason reporting an accident should be done in person is because if a driver is under the influence of something, it gives the police an opportunity to “further investigate what could lie behind the offence”.
“How are they supposed to do this if they don’t meet that person face to face?” Freeman questioned.
He detailed how the law defines a reportable road traffic accident as one which causes injury to a person or damage a property.
Under Section 170 of the Road Traffic Act 1988, accidents must be reported at a police station or a Police Constable “as soon as practicable and within 24 hours”.
However, drivers don't need to report a collision to the police if they have exchanged details at the roadside and there was no accident, injury or damage.
Freeman said the Government should prevent police from offering online reporting as this could allow rule breakers to go free.
He added: “Forces like the Met are writing their own law - and they don’t have the power to do that.
“Don’t they realise they are giving irresponsible drivers the chance to get away with blue murder by not having to be investigated in person
“To pull the carpet from under existing legislation which is designed to protect all road users from dangerous drivers is a mark of both arrogance and incompetence.
“The Police cannot be allowed to tweak law to suit their own agenda. It must be stopped.”
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
Police must be notified within 24 hours of an incident on UK roads
PAAccording to police sites, drivers must report a collision to officers if they are unable to exchange details at the scene if anyone was injured, or if they suspect that the other person may have committed a driving offence.