PLANS to create local traffic courts have been welcomed by the Police and Crime Commissioner for Dorset.

Justice Minister Damian Green announced this week that dedicated courts to deal with low-level road traffic offences will be rolled out.

It is hoped that the courts will tackle speeding motorists and careless drivers, leaving judges free to focus on serious and contested cases.

Commissioner Martyn Underhill said: “It will reduce waiting times for people who have committed minor traffic offences and speed up many cases.”

There are around half a million motoring cases heard every year.

Aspiring MP for Mid Dorset and North Poole Michael Tomlinson, who has worked as a lawyer in Dorset for the past 10 years, met with Damian Green to discuss the impact of the courts on Dorset. He said that although many motoring offences were relatively minor, they often took longer from offence to completion than much more serious cases.

“They will free up court time and help to prevent delays. For us living and working here in Dorset, this will mean that the courts can deal more efficiently with both traffic offences and more serious cases as well.”

Damian Green said: “These cases take nearly six months on average from offence to com-pletion – this is simply unacceptable.

“The justice system must res-pond more quickly and effectively to the needs of victims, witnesses and local communities and these dedicated courts will enable magi-strates to better organise their work and drive efficiency.”