New sentencing guidelines on speeders and TV licence cheats
From April 24th, new guidelines will come into effect in all magistrates’ courts in England and Wales. This includes changes to the punishment for speeding and the punishment for dodging the TV licence fee. The Sentencing Council, the body behind the changes, has said that the new guidelines will take “a more thorough and sophisticated…
New laws for 2017 – ‘Road tax’ is changing
There are new laws for ‘road tax’ taking effect from April 2017 – DMA’s Gavin Lucas explains what’s happening and how you could be affected. First of all, we should perhaps point out that there is no such thing as ‘road tax’, the tax that we pay as vehicle owners is actually vehicle excise duty (VED). So,…
Cycling safety – should cyclists wear headphones?
Cycling safety has been making national headlines again after a Coroner ruled a woman caused her own death when the music she was listening to prevented her from hearing an oncoming lorry. She swerved to avoid the vehicle after entering a roundabout without looking right – she fell and fractured her skull and spinal cord,…
Don’t let debt ruin Christmas: DMA Law’s tips for avoiding and handling debt
There is a huge amount of pressure on families at Christmas: the average cost of technology-packed presents is going up far more quickly than our wages. However, it is crucial not to be lured into excessive debt just for the short-term pleasure of Christmas – it’s not worth ruining the whole of next year just…
Celebrating 20 years at DMA Law: Tracey Rogers
DMA Law’s Tracey Rogers is celebrating a staggering 20 years at DMA Law. She agreed to mark the occasion by answering a few of our questions! What career did you want to follow when you left school? I always wanted to me a nursery teacher, but decided I didn’t like kids! (Despite then going on to have…
Road Safety Week 2016 – make a pledge to help save lives
Drivers could save five lives a day if they change their habits and pledge to drive more safely, according to Brake, the organisation behind this year’s Road Safety Week, running from the 21st-27th November. The theme of this year’s awareness-raiser is ‘Make the Brake Pledge’, in which drivers are urged to adhere to six key promises. Slow – sticking…
Peak season for serious road injuries – stay safe
We have now entered peak season for serious road injuries. Every autumn, when the hour goes back and we revert to Greenwich Mean Time, there is a spike in the number of pedestrians injured on our roads, especially children. The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) has long been campaigning for the way we use British…
The important lessons to learn from the Kardashian robbery
When socialite Kim Kardashian was robbed at gunpoint in Paris this week, it naturally made headline news around the world. She had a lot of very expensive jewelry taken and reports suggest it was an incredibly traumatic incident. She didn’t attract sympathy from all corners: many were quick to point out that a) the idea of owning (and wearing)…
Motorists facing prosecution for ‘close passing’ cyclists
The relationship between cyclists and motorists is strained at the best of times – and now a police force is taking action to protect cyclists even further. Motorists in the Midlands are facing prosecution for failing to give cyclists enough room as they pass them. West Midlands Police is prosecuting 38 drivers after filming them leaving less than 1.5m between their…
The new £5 note – what you need to know
The new £5 note came in to circulation as of 13th September 2016, and the old one will soon cease to be legal tender. No need to panic, though – you don’t need to rush out immediately and get rid of your old five pound notes! DMA Law’s Gavin Lucas looks at the new note –…