91% say drink-driving ‘is unacceptable’

Attitudes to drink-driving have radically changed in the 50 years since the first public information film to raise awareness of the issue, according to a new survey.

In research to mark the anniversary, carried out by road safety information provider THINK!, 91 per cent of those questioned agreed drink-driving was unacceptable and 92 per cent of people said they would feel ashamed if caught drinking and driving.

In contrast, in 1979 more than half of male drivers and nearly two-thirds of young male drivers admitted drink-driving on a weekly basis.

Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin said on 7 November: “The change in attitudes to drink-driving over the last 50 years is a huge success story.

“Most of us understand drink-driving wrecks lives but there is further to go. In 2012, 230 people were killed in drink-driving accidents – 230 too many.”

During 2012, 55,300 people in England and Wales were convicted of driving after

consuming alcohol or taking drugs, accounting for around nine per cent of motoring-related convictions. The figure was 40 per cent lower than in 2002, when it stood at 90,500.

Drink-driving is punishable by six months’ imprisonment, a fine of up to £5,000 and a driving ban of at least a year, or three years if convicted twice in ten years.

Causing death by careless driving while under the influence of alcohol could result in up to 14 years’ imprisonment and an unlimited fine. 

Employers ‘not ready for shared parental leave’

Employers are not prepared for new rules on shared parental leave that take effect on 1 December, new research has found.

The results, published on 25 November by HR and other employment services provider ADP, also suggests that HR directors have underestimated the likely level of interest amongst employees.

More than one in five (21 per cent) of HR directors quizzed said they were not ready for the requirements of the shared parental leave legislation, while 70 per cent predicted little or no interest from employees in the first 12 months.

Yet when employees were asked their views, a third (33 per cent) of 16 to 34-year-olds said they anticipated taking advantage of shared parental leave within the next five years.

Shared parental leave enables eligible mothers, fathers, partners and adopters to choose how to share time off work after their child is born or placed. It will be an option for parents with a child due to be born on or after 5 April 2015.

Annabel Jones, HR director at ADP UK, said: “The introduction of shared parental leave represents a step change for working parents, allowing them to take more control over child care responsibilities in the challenging few months after birth.

“Our findings show that many employees are keenly anticipating the changes and the potential benefits they will bring but some HR directors may have underestimated the impact.”

Violent offences legislation set for reform

Creating a specific offence of domestic violence is one option included in a consultation on reforming legislation dating back more than 150 years.

The Law Commission, which reviews aspects of the law and makes recommendations for changes to ensure legislation is as fair, simple, modern and cost-effective as possible, has launched a consultation on whether – and how – the Offences Against the Person Act 1861 should be reformed.

There are almost 200,000 prosecutions each year under the Act, which is drafted in obscure language, refers to concepts no longer recognised in law such as “felony” and “misdemeanour” and includes obsolete offences such as impeding escape from a shipwreck. There have been previous unsuccessful attempts to reform the Act, with draft Bills produced in 1993 and 1998.

The Act covers numerous offences, including actual bodily harm and grievous bodily harm, but these are not all clearly classified in order of seriousness or clearly defined, which the commission says can be confusing for the courts, defendants and victims.

In the consultation, launched on 12 November, the commission will examine whether the draft 1998 Bill could provide the basis for new, modern legislation and seeks views on whether any future reform should include:

• a dedicated offence to tackle domestic violence and
• a way of dealing with serious harm caused by transmitting infectious diseases.

It also asks whether a new offence of minor injury, to be heard only in the magistrates’ courts, would help to ensure that less serious cases are dealt with appropriately.

Professor David Ormerod QC, law commissioner for criminal law, said: “Violent behaviour results in almost 200,000 prosecutions each year. The harms caused can be grave and have a significant impact on victims and society. But the law under which violent offences are prosecuted is confusing and out of date.

“Our scoping paper lays a substantial foundation for a clear, modern statute providing a coherent scheme of structured, clearly defined offences that can be readily understood and efficiently prosecuted. We are asking consultees to tell us how the law can best be reformed to achieve this goal.”

The consultation closes on 11 February 2015.