28 September 2006  Liberty backs motorists' case
Vehicle owners worried about their civil rights, in addition to concerns about fines, points and car insurance premiums, may pay close attention to a court case involving two motorists.

Gerard O'Halloran and Idris Francis have taken their case to the European Court of Human Rights, arguing that current legislation that compels car owners to divulge the identity of a driver committing a driving offence.

James Welch, legal director at human rights organisation Liberty, has said that the law as it stands violates the freedom to remain silent as to not incriminate oneself.

"You can be required to provide the details of who was driving your car at the time the offence was committed," he told BBC Radio Five Live's Breakfast programme.

"If you provide those details, then that counts as an admission, so it forms part of the prosecution case against you," he explained.

Both the motorists and the government will await the verdict of the court as the case finished yesterday.

Car insurance companies often warn that those receiving speeding convictions will often have their vehicle insurance premiums raised, as they are perceived to be at greater risk of an accident.

© Adfero Ltd

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