Certain careless driving offences will attract an on-the-spot penalty of £100 under new legislation that came into effect on the 16th of August.
Offenders will also receive three points on their licence, while other existing offences – such as using a mobile behind the wheel – will result in an increased penalty, also to £100.
The new measures have been designed to tackle other anti-social behaviour on the UK’s roads, such as carrying out handbrake turns.
£100 penalties will also be handed out to those who hog the middle lane – which, according to the Highway Code, should only be used for overtaking. This is proving the most controversial aspect of the new legislation, since recent polls suggest a large proportion of British drivers do cruise in the central lane.
On the Spot Fines
Police can issue the fines on the spot, thereby removing a huge amount of bureaucracy which ultimately meant the police were unwilling to go through the time consuming process of bringing the matter to court.
It is hoped that the new laws will reduce minor driving offences, which previously went unpunished.
New Scotland Yard’s former head of roads policing, Kevin Delaney, welcomed the new powers as they were faster and simpler to administer. But he said that many offences will be difficult to prove either way:
“Careless driving has 50 shades of grey and it will end up being the motorist’s word against the copper.
“But it will help those motorists who realise they have done something wrong and would rather not be dragged through the courts.”
Avoiding using the middle lane incorrectly and ensuring you do not commit other offences such as using a mobile behind the wheel, are important pieces of motoring advice. And the new fines will no doubt focus some drivers’ minds a little more.
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