New penalties for careless drivers

There was bad news for Audi and Peugeot drivers today as British police were given new powers to clamp down on tailgaters and so-called ‘middle lane hoggers'.

Drivers who commit these offences face on the spot penalty fines of £100 and three points on their licence, under new plans revealed by government transport minister Stephen Hammond.

They also include new powers to issue fixed penalty notices for not giving way at a junction or using the wrong lane at a roundabout.

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.

"We are also increasing penalties for a range of driving offences to a level which reflects their seriousness and which will ensure they are consistent with other similar penalty offences," he added.

The penalty fines for using a mobile phone whilst driving, and driving without wearing a seatbelt will also rise to £100 - up from £60 - while the fine for driving without insurance doubles from £100 to £200.

AA President Edmund King said: "We are pleased 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."

Those are the top three, but what other motoring offences would you punish with an on-the-spot fine? Keep ‘em clean, TG.com...