Photograph by ,a href=”http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1429664″>Chris Whippet
Tailgaters and road-hogs across Britain will now face on-the-spot fines coming into force.
Under previous legislation, many of these offences were left unpunished due to the time and expense of taking a driver to court, but now police officers will be able to issue £100 fine and give drivers three points to their license on-the-spot.
More serious driving offences will still go to court, but for those not wearing a seatbelt or caught using a mobile phone whilst at the wheel will now more likely be punished for breaking the law.
For those caught under the newly defined offences such as tailgating or hogging the middle lane will have the option of taking the fine or the chance to go on a course to improve their driving.
Drivers can still appeal their punishment to the courts.
Police are expected to refocus efforts on punishing a number of offences including:
- Driving to close to the vehicle in front.
- Lane discipline
- Overtaking and pushing into a queue of traffic
- Inappropriate speed
