Fireworks Stay Safe, Stay Legal

So the whizzes and the bangs have started and are driving me crazy. Don't get me wrong I love fireworks but has the recently implemented Fireworks Act 2003 helped at all? Personally I don't see much difference - rather than fireworks going off the weekend of Bonfire Night it happens weeks beforehand, plus you still have to be wary of kids throwing them at cars in some areas.

The Fireworks Act 2003 set limited periods for fireworks to be sold and let off. It is an offence to let off fireworks during the hours of 11pm-7am except on certain days:
- Bonfire Night - period extended to midnight
- Diwali, New Years Eve, Chinese New Year - period extended to 1am

The Fireworks Act 2003 also made it a requirement that shops wanting to sell fireworks throughout the year obtain a license to do so. Otherwise fireworks can only be sold:
- 1st day of Chinese New Year and 3 days prior
- Diwali and 3 days prior
- 15th October to 10th November
- 26th December to 31st December

And finally a few other things you may not know about Fireworks Legislation:
1. It is against the law for persons under the age of 18 to carry fireworks in public (this excludes sparklers)- Fireworks Act 2003
2. It is against the law to throw or set off fireworks in the street or public place - this offence carries a fine of up to £5000 or an on the spot fine of £80 - s80 Explosives Act 1875
3. Fireworks must not be sold to anyone under the age of 18
4. Many pets become scared when fireworks are let off, it is an offence under s1 Protection of Animals Act 1911 to cause any unnecessary suffering to any domestic/captive animal - anyone found guilty is liable for a fine of up to £5000 and/or 6 months imprisonment

I wouldn't like to go to the extremes of people not having their own private displays but every year we hear stories about firework related accidents/stupidity.
Here are just a few BBC News links from today:
Baby escapes home firework blast
Pupils injured in firework attack

The Oxfordshire fire chief suggests that the law should be changed to make it illegal for individuals to buy fireworks. I think this is going to far but what is a happy medium and how can we stop the illegal sale of fireworks?

List of Driving Offences

Please find below a table of motoring offences, their definitions under the Road Traffic Act (RTA) 1988 and the penalties they carry.

Please note:
1. All of the below offences could carry a fine.
2. Where two imprisonment sentences are stated these are either-way offences and relate to the outcome of either indictment/summary trial e.g. Dangerous Driving carries maximum 2 years imprisonment on indictment but 6 months maximum if tried summarily.
3. The below table highlights the possible implications of the driving offences listed - each penalty is subject to variation dependent on the individual circumstances of each case - seek legal advice.

Any questions please post.
Coming soon.... Alcohol Related Offences.

Offence	Definition	Penalty
Dangerous Driving	s2 RTA- Drives a mechanically propelled vehicle dangerously on a road/public place	2 years/6 months imprisonment Obligatory disqualification exceeding 1 year 3-11 points
Causing Death by Dangerous Driving	s1 RTA- Drives a mechanically propelled vehicle dangerously on a road/public place - must be proven that caused the death of another person	Maximum 14 years imprisonment Obligatory disqualification exceeding 2 years 3-11 points
Careless Driving	s3 RTA- Driving a mechanically propelled vehicle on a road/public place without (a)due care and attention or (b)without reasonable consideration for other persons using the road/public place	3-9 points discretionary disqualification
Failure to Stop	s170 RTA - Driver of a mechanically propelled vehicle on a road/public place must stop and give details if they have had an accident	6 months imprisonment 5-10 points discretionary disqualification
Failure to Report an Accident	s170(4) - Driver of a mechanically propelled vehicle on a road/public place must if they have an accident report the matter to police as soon as reasonably practicable and in any event within 24 hours	6 months imprisonment 5-10 points discretionary disqualification
No Insurance	s142 RTA - Using (or causing/permitting to be used) a motor vehicle on a road/public place when there is no policy in force against Third Party risks	Fixed penalty fine 6-8 points discretionary disqualification
Driving While Disqualified	s103 RTA - Driving a vehicle on a road whilst disqualified from holding or obtaining a licence	6 months imprisonment 6 points fine discretionary disqualification