brucemillar
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Careless drivers to face fixed fines
Last updated 4 hours ago
Tailgating and middle-lane hogging will now incur fixed penalties
Motorists across Britain who put others at risk through careless driving face on-the-spot fixed penalties under new measures announced by the government.
From July police will be able to issue £100 fines and three points for offences such as tailgating or middle-lane hogging that used to go to court.
The idea is to free up the police from spending time on court cases.
Fixed penalties for using a mobile phone while driving or not wearing a seatbelt will also rise by £40 to £100.
The move brings careless driving offences into line with the penalties for similar non-motoring fixed penalties. Drivers will still be able to appeal against any decision through the courts.
'Pet hates'
People guilty of careless driving will face fixed penalties or the chance to go on a driving course, but the more serious examples will continue to go through the courts, where offenders could face much higher fines and penalties.
Road Safety Minister Stephen Hammond said: "Careless drivers are a menace and their negligence puts innocent people's lives at risk.
"That is why we are making it easier for the police to tackle problem drivers by allowing them to immediately issue a fixed penalty notice rather than needing to take every offender to court."
The AA said responsible drivers would welcome the changes.
"We are also pleased to see that at long last new powers and fines will be given to the police to tackle the top three pet hates of drivers - tailgaters, mobile phone abusers and middle lane hogs," said AA president Edmund King.
BBC © 2013
Last updated 4 hours ago
Tailgating and middle-lane hogging will now incur fixed penalties
Motorists across Britain who put others at risk through careless driving face on-the-spot fixed penalties under new measures announced by the government.
From July police will be able to issue £100 fines and three points for offences such as tailgating or middle-lane hogging that used to go to court.
The idea is to free up the police from spending time on court cases.
Fixed penalties for using a mobile phone while driving or not wearing a seatbelt will also rise by £40 to £100.
The move brings careless driving offences into line with the penalties for similar non-motoring fixed penalties. Drivers will still be able to appeal against any decision through the courts.
'Pet hates'
People guilty of careless driving will face fixed penalties or the chance to go on a driving course, but the more serious examples will continue to go through the courts, where offenders could face much higher fines and penalties.
Road Safety Minister Stephen Hammond said: "Careless drivers are a menace and their negligence puts innocent people's lives at risk.
"That is why we are making it easier for the police to tackle problem drivers by allowing them to immediately issue a fixed penalty notice rather than needing to take every offender to court."
The AA said responsible drivers would welcome the changes.
"We are also pleased to see that at long last new powers and fines will be given to the police to tackle the top three pet hates of drivers - tailgaters, mobile phone abusers and middle lane hogs," said AA president Edmund King.
BBC © 2013
