Back in early June we wrote about how the Government were introducing new £100 on-the-stop fines for offences such as lane-hogging and tailgating. This has now come into force.
Motorists who are deemed to be: –
- driving too close to the vehicle in front
- overtaking and pushing into a queue of traffic
- failing to give way at a junction (not requiring evasive action by another driver)
- being in the wrong lane and pushing into a queue on a roundabout
- showing poor lane discipline, such as needlessly hogging the middle or outside lanes
- travelling at inappropriate speed
- performing wheel-spins, handbrake turns and other careless manoeuvres
will face £100 on-the-spot fine as well as 3 penalty points. The most serious examples will continue to go through court, where offenders may face tougher sentences. The police will also be able to offer educational training as an alternative to endorsement. Drivers will still be able to appeal against any decision in court.
Other fines, such as using a mobile phone at the wheel, and some speeding offences, rise from £60 to £100. These offences lead to an endorsement on the licence.
Simon Best, Institute of Advanced Motorists chief executive, said: “If the police target the worst and most persistent offenders this could be good news for road safety.
“If, however, it just becomes another numbers game with thousands of careless driving tickets issued, then the impact will be limited.
“We believe that driver retraining courses have a much bigger potential to actually improve poor driving than simply issuing a standard fine and should always be offered as the first stage of prosecution.”
Paul Watters of the AA said: “Tailgating drivers and middle-lane hoggers are the top driving hates of other drivers, yet those that drive like this mostly regard their behaviour as perfectly normal.
“There is clearly not enough awareness that these driving habits are inconsiderate. It needs to be made crystal clear that good drivers don’t do this, and that the drivers that continue to need educating and, failing that, police action.”
Will this be a deterrent to such road behaviour or will nothing change? Are there enough road police to enforce these new laws?
If you wish to appeal a decision to can contact our solicitors for advice
Aug, 16, 2013