DATED: 15 August 2022
POLICY TITLE: Motor Patrols - Fitness to Drive Scheme
OWNING DIRECTORATE: Force Coordination
AUTHOR: Chief Inspector, Tactical Operations
CONTACT DETAILS: 101
EQUALITY IMPACT ASSESSMENT: Complete
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AIM OF POLICY: To provide an outline of the Fitness to Drive Scheme which is a driving assessment alternative to prosecution for offences of careless driving.
BENEFIT OF POLICY: The policy provides clarity regarding the Force approach to the use of the scheme.
REASON FOR POLICY: The scheme is aimed at ensuring that identified persons suitable for the scheme are fit to continue to drive through assessment and practical advice.
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The Fitness to Drive Scheme is aimed at improving driving standards through assessment in suitably identified cases, as an alternative to prosecution.
The assessment is administered by an external service provider, North East Drive Mobility, which is part of the National Health Service Trust. This is funded from the fees charged to delegates.
The scheme is built upon the premise that an assessment will show whether a person is still fit to drive and is designed to ensure that the person can continue to drive after the assessment in a safe manner.
Northumbria Police participates in the Fitness to Drive Scheme to reinforce its commitment to make roads safer and work with partnership agencies to create an approach which focuses on the reduction of harm to all road users and to achieve the strategic goals of safer roads and increased public confidence in line with the Policing Roads Partnership strategy.
The Fixed Penalty Unit has responsibility for the administration of all driver referrals arising from the scheme.
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SOURCE DOCUMENT: None
GROUPS AFFECTED: All police officers, police staff, special constables, volunteers and customers of the organisation.
ACCESS AND DISCLOSURE RESTRICTIONS: None
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