Government announces new penalties for motoring offences

The Government has announced a crackdown on roadhogs and tailgaters as part of a shake-up of motoring offence penalties.

Drivers who hog the middle lane or tailgate other cars risk on-the-spot fines of £100 and three points on their licence under plans unveiled by road safety minister Stephen Hammond.

The fixed penalty of £100 will also enable police to offer educational training as an alternative to licence endorsement. Drivers will still be able to appeal against any decision in court.

The plans also include a rise from £60 to £100 in the fine for using a hand-held mobile phone while at the wheel and a similar increase in the penalty for not wearing a seatbelt.

Mr 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.”